Dodgers: Five Bold Predictions for the 2018 Season

Chris Archer is finally acquired

Stop me if you have heard this before: Chris Archer is the most likely pitcher to be moved. That has been the noise around the league for three to four years now, and it will cease to stop. And this year will be no different.

However, it will be different because the Tampa Bay Rays will finally move him, as they continue their firesale, in a deal with the Dodgers. Los Angeles can use another starter due to the question marks of health surrounding Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Alex Wood, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Kenta Maeda, and old friend Julio Urias.

None of them are locks for 200+ innings. Not even 180 innings. The last time the Dodgers had at least 180 innings was 2015 (Yu Darvish only threw 49.2 innings). Since then, Clayton Kershaw’s 175 from last year has been the most. With Kershaw’s back problems, Archer would be the workhorse that the boys in blue have been lacking.

Since 2014, he has thrown (chronologically) 194.2, 212, 201.1, and 201 innings. Along with that, he is among the game’s elite at missing bats. His ERAs over the past two years, however, have not been what you would expect from a borderline-ace. However, his peripherals suggest that he has been getting unlucky to an extent.

Regardless, he is the type of player the front office would target. First off, Andrew Friedman has the Tampa connection. He is the one that gave Archer the six-year extension back in 2014. Next, Archer is controllable through 2022 at a bargain, and we know much the front office loves saving money.

Also, the Dodgers need a right-handed ace, and they have the prospects to satisfy Tampa. If Archer’s struggles continue, LA will jump at the chance to buy low. If he does not, the asking price will be worth it. The Dodgers have to win this year so expect them to end the Chris Archer saga finally.