Pittsburgh Pirates: Free Fall Continues & Other Takeaways From Winless Weekend In New York

What to do with Chris Archer?

Last year at the trade deadline the Pirates made the biggest splash of any team in baseball by acquiring Chris Archer. The Pirates paid a hefty price to acquire Archer, but at the team it appeared to be worthwhile as Archer had been one of the best pitchers in baseball since 2014. Unfortunately, that trade has not worked out at all.

2019 has been, by far, the worst season of Archer’s career. After allowing 6 runs in 5 innings of work on Sunday, he now owns a 5.58 ERA and a 5.73 FIP in 19 starts. While he is still striking batters out (25.8% strikeout rate) he has battled control issues owning an 11.3% walk rate. He has also allowed a National League worst 25 home runs. His ERA, FIP, walk rate, and 2.21 HR/9 are all career worsts.

Archer has a team option for next season that will pay him $8.25 million. At the time Archer was acquired that $8.25 million looked like it would be a bargain. Now, that has changed.

While that is not a large sum of money by 2019 baseball standards, is Archer worth it? Pitching this poorly he is not. That rotation spot would be better served being filled by a young pitcher such as Mitch Keller, or someone they add between now and the start of next season.

If Archer did not have the track record of being a former All-Star, odds are, he would be out of the Pirate starting rotation by now. There is also no shot he would be in the conversation for a rotation spot in 2020.

Will the Pirates pick up Archer’s option this offseason? Will they decline it? Regardless, the team is going to have a difficult decision on their hands with their once prized trade acquisition.