Chris Archer MLB trade in July 2018 just got worse for Pittsburgh Pirates

At the July 2018 Trade Deadline, the Pittsburgh Pirates were in contention for a playoff spot and made what looked like a smart deal at the time in sending prospects Tyler Glasnow and Austin Meadows as well as a player to be named later to the Tampa Bay Rays for right-handed pitcher Chris Archer. To say that trade hasn't worked out for the Bucs is a massive understatement, and Archer almost surely has thrown his last pitch for the franchise with the news that he will miss the 2020 season.

Somewhat out of nowhere, the Pirates announced Wednesday that Archer had season-ending surgery Tuesday to relieve symptoms of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome. That occurs when the nerves leading from the neck to the arm are compressed. Archer did have some back/neck tightness this spring but pitched in a Grapefruit League game before MLB was shut down.

When Pittsburgh acquired Archer on July 31, 2018, he was considered one of the most valuable pitching assets in the American League because he was a two-time young All-Star with terrific stuff and one of the most team-friendly contracts for an ace in the major leagues. Archer made $6.25 million in 2018, $7.5 million last year and had team options for 2020 ($9 million) and '21 ($11 million). His $9 million salary was the highest on the team this year.

There is zero chance the Pirates pick up that $11 million option as Archer has been a mega-bust in Pittsburgh. He was a so-so 3-3 with a 4.30 ERA in 10 starts two years ago, and then one of the worst pitchers in MLB last year at 3-9 with a 5.19 ERA. He finished 6-12 with a 4.92 ERA in 33 starts for the Bucs.

On the flip side, Glasnow and Meadows have become star-caliber players with the Rays. Glasnow would have led the AL in ERA last year at 1.78 but was limited 60.2 innings due to injury. Glasnow is +1200 on the moneyline odds at William Hill sportsbook to win the 2020 AL Cy Young and is under team control through 2023.

In 138 games last year, Meadows hit .291 with 33 homers, 89 RBIs and 12 steals in being named an All-Star, and he is a longer-shot 2020 AL MVP candidate at +3300. Meadows is under team control through 2024.

Trades like this can setup/setback a franchise for years, especially small-market cost-conscious franchises like the Pirates and Rays. Archer for Glasnow/Meadows could go down as one of the most lopsided deals of the 2010s. Not a coincidence the Rays are considered pennant contenders in the AL this year and the Pirates one of the worst teams in the NL. 

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