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Report: Rays drawing significant trade interest in Archer

Abbie Parr / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Tampa Bay Rays could take advantage of an otherwise weak pitching market ahead of the non-waiver trade deadline if they wish to deal two-time All-Star right-hander Chris Archer.

Archer is reportedly drawing significant trade interest, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, who adds that the seven-year veteran could boost his market with a few strong starts over the next two weeks.

Archer has spent his entire seven-year career in Tampa Bay, having pitched in the postseason once, and not since 2013. While he didn't request a trade, he did say earlier this week that he is at a stage in his career where he wants to be on a winner.

"I turn 30 in a couple months,'' Archer said. "I want to play the game for 10 more years, but there's nothing guaranteed in life. I want to experience winning.

"If I'm going to be here, I want the process of not going to the playoffs to be expedited."

The Rays are surprisingly one game over .500 but are still well out of a postseason spot and will likely be sellers at the deadline. The starting pitchers available to be traded are not a strong group, headlined by J.A. Happ, Cole Hamels, Matt Harvey, and Mike Fiers. Should the Rays make Archer available, it's likely that Tampa would net a strong return.

Archer owns a 4.29 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 86 strikeouts this year. He's tossed at least 200 innings in each of the previous three seasons and is under team control through 2021 in a team-friendly contract.

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