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10 starting pitchers the Philadelphia Phillies could target in free agency

By David Esser

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Marcus Stroman #0 of the New York Mets in action during an intra squad game at Citi Field on July 17, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Marcus Stroman #0 of the New York Mets in action during an intra squad game at Citi Field on July 17, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Mar 1, 2020; Bradenton, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates manger Derek Shelton talks with pitcher Chris Archer (24) in the dugout against the Toronto Blue Jays at LECOM Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2020; Bradenton, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates manger Derek Shelton talks with pitcher Chris Archer (24) in the dugout against the Toronto Blue Jays at LECOM Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Chris Archer

2020 Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

2020 Salary: $11 million

Once regarded as one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, Chris Archer now might be struggling to find a job this upcoming offseason. After the worst season of his career in 2019, Archer then missed the entirety of the 2020 season due to surgery. Needless to say, it’s been a rough two years for the former ace.

Archer absolutely dominated the American League during his time with the Rays, seeing himself named to two All Star games while also finishing top-5 in Cy Young voting during the 2015 season. Across seven years with Tampa Bay, Archer posted a 3.69 ERA through 177 starts.

Obviously, Archer isn’t that same dude anymore. He’s not been great since being traded away to Pittsburgh, and his recent injury woes only add to that list of concerns. It’s even more concerning that Archer almost immediately regressed once he left Tampa Bay, as they have a history of working some sort of voodoo magic with their pitchers. It’s quite possible that Archer was simply a product of their well-oiled pitching machine.

Regardless, Archer is a savvy veteran with postseason experience who will be looking for a rotation spot this offseason, and the Philadelphia Phillies are just down the road. It all kind of gives off “Arrieta vibes”, but you never know.

*Note: The Pirates do have an $11 million club-option for Archer in 2021, but there’s very little reason they would pick it up.*

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