TAMPA, Fla. — The Rays are taking a lot of gambles in reassembling their pitching staff, none bigger than in re-signing Chris Archer.
Beyond the relatively hefty financial commitment (hefty for the Rays), a $6.5 million salary that will be third highest on the team and about 10% of the total payroll, there is risk in what he does on the mound and in the clubhouse.
Health and performance are fair concerns. Archer is 32 now. He hasn’t pitched in a game since Aug. 20, 2019. He hasn’t pitched well over an extended period, arguably, since before the Rays traded him to Pittsburgh on July 31, 2018.
He is coming off June thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in which part of his top rib and scalene muscle were removed, a procedure from which an encouraging number of pitchers, including ex-Ray Alex Cobb, have returned but not all. And that surgery came after procedures to address hernia and left hip labrum issues.
He reportedly has looked good in throwing sessions, hitting 89-90 mph in January, and has benefited from a new physical conditioning program. He is confident he will be ready to start the season on time and take the ball every fifth day, just as he used to in reaching the 200-inning plateau three straight seasons. The Rays will be cautious in handling him, especially early, perhaps buying an extra week by pushing him to the back of the rotation and limiting his workload.
Archer has said a lot of the right things: He is committed to working with pitching coach Kyle Snyder, who was in his first year on the job when Archer was traded. He will maximize the strengths of his repertoire (four-seam fastball, slider, change-up). He won’t try changes for the sake of change, as he did in Pittsburgh, and stubbornly stick with them. And he’ll be happy in any role, which could include pitching behind an opener.
The Rays, who first pursued signing Corey Kluber and trades for Joe Musgrove and Jameson Taillon, feel good about what they’ve seen and heard from Archer. They’re banking that the one-year deal, free of options or appearance/innings incentives that could complicate decision-making, should be motivation for Archer to re-establish his standing and value around the game.
His previous work ethic and dedication to his physical conditioning when he was a Ray was extraordinary. He passed down the legacy from James Shields and David Price of putting in the time to hone his craft, one the Rays would like their young pitchers to follow, as Blake Snell did. His charitable efforts and work in the community were admirable.
But it wasn’t all good examples.
Some of Archer’s theatrics on the mound — his overt shows of emotion and other attention-getting moves — the Rays definitely could do without. His pledge last week to be “like the 23-year old Chris Archer again” sounded good.
How he fits into the clubhouse also will be interesting. Archer stepped into the spotlight — facilitated by media that relished his availability and thoughtful answers — and he certainly seemed to enjoy the attention, turning into the face of the team and the game, for a short time.
If the couple of rough years away have humbled and grounded Archer a bit, the Rays would be OK with that. They have a bit of a leadership void with Snell and Charlie Morton gone, and plenty of young pitchers to be properly impressed upon.
How that goes is also part of the dice roll.
