Pittsburgh Pirates Discuss Trade For Rays Pitcher Chris Archer

Zoe Taylor · Jul 31, 2018

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired starting pitcher Chris Archer from Tampa Bay Rays and closer Keone Kela from the Texas Rangers in order to get to the playoffs. The moves cost the team top prospects; outfielder Austin Meadows and pitchers Tyler Glasnowand Taylor Hearn, as well as two other players yet to be named.

The Pirates' GM Neal Huntington said: "Given the quality of the core, the players we have and those who are still on the horizon, the ability to add two players such as this, we feel, pushed us into a higher level and allows us to believe we are going to be one of those teams that has a legitimate chance to make the postseason not only this year."

Archer is a two-time All-Star. He said: "I'm excited. They're super-hot right now, and they want me. They gave up their top two guys, guys with some really good upside. I'm excited to be part of the organization that wants me, part of a rich baseball history, a hard-working community. I can't wait to get there."

Pittsburgh will assume the remaining $2,049,731 in Archer's $6.25 million salary. He receives a $500,000 assignment bonus for the trade and his deal includes a $7.5 million salary for 2019, a $9 million team option for 2020 with a $1.75 million buyout and an $11 million club option for 2021 with a $250,000 buyout.

Huntington said: "to get Keone with two-plus years of potential contribution and who knows behind that, to get Chris Archer with three years plus this year where he's going to impact our wins, those were really good gets in our mind."