Report: Rays gauging interest in their top players, including Archer
The Tampa Bay Rays could potentially look a lot different in 2018 if they decide to rebuild, which could mean trading away a number of their top players in the current offseason.
The Rays are gauging interest in some of their best players, including right-handed ace Chris Archer, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
According to Heyman, Tampa could also listen on closer Alex Colome, right-hander Jake Odorizzi, outfielders Kevin Kiermaier and Corey Dickerson, and perhaps Gold Glove third baseman Evan Longoria.
With the Rays in the midst of four straight losing seasons while trying to compete with four bigger-market teams in a tough American League East, there are certainly reasons to rebuild, but Tampa's general manager, Erik Neander, told Heyman the team is "just getting a sense" of where things stand at the moment.
Archer could be an alternative to potential high-priced free-agent starters Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta for teams in need of pitching, although it's presumed the price tag for someone of Archer's caliber and pedigree would be large.
The 29-year-old was 10-12 with a 4.07 ERA in 34 starts last season, which included 249 strikeouts in 201 innings.