Report: Phillies Have Shown Interest in Chris Archer

The Phillies dramatically changed the makeup of their ballclub on Friday.  First was the trade of shortstop Freddy Galvis to the San Diego Padres.  Then came official confirmation that the club had added relievers Pat Neshek and Tommy Hunter.  Finally, word leaked that the Phillies had agreed to terms with first baseman Carlos Santana.  So, what is next?

The Phillies seem intent on adding young, controllable starting pitching.   One big name is Chris Archer of the Tampa Bay Rays.  Mark Topin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the Phillies have shown interest in the Rays ace:

Teams we heard with interest, to various degrees, in Archer include the Astros, Braves, Cubs, Cards, Brewers, Nationals, Phillies, Yankees, Twins.

That is certainly a good amount of competition, but the Phillies have some pieces to trade.

One of those pieces may be one of the outfielders displaced by Rhys Hoskins moving full-time to left field.  One of Odubel Herrera, Nick Williams, or Aaron Altherr could be moved in a trade for a starting pitcher.  Of those three, Herrera may be particularly attractive to a team like Tampa Bay.

Herrera is only one year in to a very affordable $30.5 million deal that has four years remaining, with option years for two more years.  The cost certainty and output could help the Rays, who generally operate from a financially-disadvantaged viewpoint.  If Herrera is moved, Altherr is a strong center fielder.

Cesar Hernandez could interest the Rays, too.  Brad Miller moved from first base to second base this past season.  However, Logan Morrison, the team's first baseman in 2017, is likely to depart.  Miller could move back to first base.

Matt Breen and Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Phillies had checked in on every young controllable starter out there. Names mentioned by Breen and Gelb also include Marcus Stroman of the Blue Jays and Danny Duffy of the Kansas City Royals.

The Phillies seem poised to make more moves.  While the Phillies seemed like they were going into 2018 ready to wait another year, the rebulid seems to have already been bumped up a notch.