Yankees Rumors: Trade talks for Chris Archer intensifying

Despite recently acquiring starter J.A. Happ from the Blue Jays, the Yankees are still looking to strengthen their rotation, this time intensifying talks with the Rays for right-hander Chris Archer.

After trading Brandon Drury and minor league outfielder Billy McKinney to Toronto for left-handed starter J.A. Happ, many assumed the Yankees were finished adding starting pitching.

However, with Luis Severino struggling in his third consecutive outing, this time against the lowly Royals (4.1 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 5 K), Ken Rosenthal and Jim Bowden reported that the Yanks are one of three teams trying to acquire 29-year-old right-hander Chris Archer. The Padres and Dodgers are the other interested parties.

Although Rosenthal notes that the Rays are shy to the idea of trading within the AL East, he believes Tampa will inevitably accept the best offer presented.

The Yankees for one, haven’t been afraid of trading with clubs they see a respective 18 times per season, first swinging a deal with the Orioles for reliever Zach Britton and then Happ from the Jays.

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With sluggers, Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez both out of action close to a month, general manager Brian Cashman is looking for a way to even further shorten games.

If the Yanks were to swing a deal for Archer, that would potentially give them the makings of a six-man rotation. With the recent inconsistent performances of Severino and C.C. Sabathia, giving each starter an extra day of rest isn’t a bad idea.

Having already tossed 137.2 innings this season, Severino is on-pace to exceed his career-high 193.1 innings pitched last season — which doesn’t include another 16 frames in the Postseason.

Although Sevvy is still only 24, the stress of being the Yankees’ No. 1, forced to pitch flawlessly every time out because of no clear-cut No. 2 — is beginning to wear thin on the 2017 Cy Young candidate.

Fortunately, Sonny Gray has picked up some of the slack in his last three outings, winning all three contests while posting a 1.10 ERA and a .155 BAA. However, with Gray on a bit of a roll, would the Yankees look to sell high?

According to Brendan Kuty of NJ.com, the Braves scouted Gray on Thursday night when he went five scoreless innings, striking out five before precautionarily leaving the game after taking a comebacker to his throwing hand.

While trading Gray would open up a rotation spot for the likes of Archer, I’m not entirely convinced the Yankees should deal Sonny only to replace him with another scuffling right-hander.

Gray, who is now 8-7 with a 5.08 ERA, 1.465 WHIP and 8.6 SO/9 only has one year remaining on his contract at a team friendly $6.5 million.

Archer, who took the loss on Friday night to the O’s went six innings, allowing seven hits and three earned runs while striking out three. Despite his 3-5 record, 4.31 ERA, 1.385 WHIP and 9.6 S0/9, the biggest concern surrounding Archer is his health, as he’s dealt with a recurring abdominal strain.

Signed until 2022, the Yankees need to decide if adding Archer is worth the cost of dealing more talented prospects, especially when he’s far from a sure bet for W’s.