The Atlanta Braves have reportedly inquired about Tampa Bay Rays right-handed starting pitcher Chris Archer and other starting pitchers, reports Jon Morosi of FOX Sports:

Atlanta’s entire pitching staff combined to give up the 6th most runs in all of baseball last year, making the need for starting pitching and bullpen help a major one.

Archer is currently signed a very team-friendly deal, which will figure to make the Rays’ asking price higher if they do decide to part ways with him. He is signed through the 2019 season, and has club options for 2020 and 2021 after his guaranteed money maximizes out.

The 28-year-old Archer is coming off a season in-which he struggled. He went 9-19 with a 4.02 earned run average over 201.1 innings of work. His 233 strikeout mark, which ranked 5th in all of baseball, proves that Archer still has the tools to have an incredible 2017 season.

A deal is unlikely to transpire before we’re playing meaningful baseball games again a few months from now, but don’t be surprised if Atlanta turns elsewhere for pitching help in the mean time.

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