Rays may gauge value for Archer at Meetings

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Rays did not trade Chris Archer on the second day of the Winter Meetings. Life in the American League East did become a little more interesting, though, on Tuesday.

The Red Sox made a bold move to acquire lefty ace Chris Sale from the White Sox for four prospects, thereby giving the Rays’ division rival a huge boost with its starting pitching.

“It’s an impact pitcher that’s found a home,” Rays senior vice president of baseball operations/general manager Erik Neander said. “How that changes things for us, like I said, it makes a team in our division better. In terms of what it does from our end, we have our evaluation of our players, how we feel about them. None of that changes by way of the decisions that are made by other clubs. It’s entirely up to them.”

• Hot Stove Tracker

Given what the Red Sox gave up to land Sale, it’s evident that the price point for quality starting pitchers is sky high, which, ultimately, should affect what the Rays are able to ask for Archer.

When asked if the Sale trade defined the market, Neander allowed, “It’s certainly a reference point.”

“It’s hard to suggest anything else otherwise,” Neander said. “You’re talking about a top-end talent with three years of control. The price to get those guys is not cheap.”

Rumors have been swirling involving Archer. Clubs said to have interest include the Rangers and Braves. Along with those rumors have been reports that the Rays want too much in return.

But the Red Sox might have countered that line of thinking with a …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com