Chris Archer News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/chris-archer/ Minnesota sports, but different Wed, 06 Jul 2022 13:43:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=32,height=32,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-cropped-MSF-favicon-1.jpg Chris Archer News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/chris-archer/ 32 32 Twins Scratch Chris Archer; Josh Winder to Start Rain Threatened Matchup vs Sox https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/minnesota-twins-scratch-chris-archer-josh-winder-to-start-rain-threatened-matchup-vs-chicago-white-sox/ Tue, 05 Jul 2022 18:39:34 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=39611 The Minnesota Twins are scheduled to play vs the Chicago White Sox Tuesday night, in a game that may or may not take place. The forecast in Chicago calls for a 30-65% chance of precipitation, throughout the scheduled game time (7:10-10:30ish PM), and the storms en route are expected to be severe.

If the show does go on, there will be one major change in programming. The expected starter, Chris Archer, has been scratched for currently unknown reasons (Update: Sent to 15-day IL with a hip strain). Josh Winder, who was yanked from his start for the St. Paul Saints on Monday night, is now scheduled to take the mound for the Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field Tuesday.

Josh Winder Called Back Up

Josh Winder is almost 26 years old and his future with the Minnesota Twins is still unknown. His role could change as the season develops because he could make for an easy bullpen option, should Falvine go out and trade for a big time starter before the deadline.

Winder enters Tuesday night with 35.1 innings pitched in 4 games started. He’s touting a 3.06 ERA and 1.160 WHIP. Both very solid. His advanced metrics go both ways. Winder’s 4.24 FIP is higher than what you’d like to see but his 124 ERA+ is really impressive.

Even more impressive, were Josh Winder’s minor league numbers. Between AA and AAA, Winder pitched just under 200 innings between the 2019 and 2021 seasons (MiLB players didn’t play in 2020) and posted a 2.63 ERA and sub-1.000 WHIP.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> Wed, 06 Jul 2022 08:43:56 +0000 Minnesota Twins Chris Archer Can’t Be It https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/chris-archer-cant-be-it-for-minnesota-twins/ Tue, 29 Mar 2022 00:51:06 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=38551 Well, we’ve been begging the Minnesota Twins to add to their starting pitching rotation and they have done just that this evening, signing veteran big-name starter, Chris Archer, to a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. If he’s really good, that salary could jump to as high as $9.5 million, with bonuses. So just like that, the Twins have their 5th starter, I guess.

Known for dominance he once showed on the mound in Tampa Bay, the Twins are hoping to resurrect the 33-year-old’s career, which has gone south in recent years. Archer was an All-Star in 2015 and 2017.

His best seasons were even earlier, from 2013-2015. Over those three seasons, he pitched 535.1 innings with a 3.26 ERA, 3.36 FIP and 117 ERA+. Those are numbers of an elite starter. But Archer hasn’t been that guy for a half-decade. Hell, he hasn’t had an ERA+ over 100 (average) since 2017.

This can’t be it…

Earlier on Monday, I wrote about how primed the Minnesota Twins roster was for a blockbuster-type trade that sent away one of many top hitting prospects, in return for an ace-type veteran starter worthy of heading a playoff-worthy rotation. I specified that the starting pitcher be acquired via trade, because the only pitchers left in Free Agency were guys like Chris Archer.

Until proven otherwise, Archer is a back of the rotation, past his prime, rebuild project. Something we’ve become accustomed to with the Falvey/Levine operation. Maybe it’ll work out, maybe it won’t. But one thing is for sure, this is NOT the big time move the Twins needed in order to become a World Series contender.

Get back on the phone.

Yes, Carlos Correa fell into Jim Pohlad’s lap. But if he and his “forward-thinking” front office aren’t willing to do everything in their power to maximize such an opportunity, then they should’ve just let the phone ring last weekend when Scott Boras called. Raking in millions of extra dollars on 100’s of thousands of phony tickets of false hope would be much more evil than doing nothing at all.

Signing Chris Archer is cute. Now get back on the phones and use one of Trevor Larnach, Jose Miranda, Luis Arraez, Max Kepler, Austin Martin or Royce Lewis to reel in a starting pitcher that’s actually worth some victories.

At $115 million (after the Archer signing), the Twins are still under-budget for player salaries. They’ve spent more in each of the past five seasons than they’re scheduled to spend in 2022. That’s incomprehensible for a team loaded with offensive talent, before it added Carlos Correa. Now that he’s here, failing to bring in a front-rotation starter would be straight fraud.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> Mon, 28 Mar 2022 19:51:12 +0000 Minnesota Twins The Twins’ Anibal Sanchez Signing Has Me Concerned https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/twins-anibal-sanchez-signing-has-concerned/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/twins-anibal-sanchez-signing-has-concerned/#comments Sun, 18 Feb 2018 01:19:24 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=8102

Minnesota baseball fans have been expressing their desire for the Twins to bolster their 2018 pitching rotation. Your wish is the Pohlads’ command.

It has been announced that the Paul Molitor managed ball-club agreed to terms with the soon to be 34 year-old Anibal Sanchez.

If you didn’t catch the sarcasm in the earlier “Your wish is the Pohlad’s command” line, all of the outs we have in this deal should make that attempt at humor evident. My passive-aggressive approach is nothing personal against the former Marlin and Tiger, as a person. No, no no. It’s just that the Venezuelan native’s stats from the last three seasons are, to be politically correct, piss poor:

Over those 415 2/3 innings, Sanchez has registered an ERA of 5.67. For comparison purposes, Detroit’s 5.36 team ERA was the worst in the majors, last year. Our newest acquisition was a member of that very staff. Funny how that works…

To give the right-hander some credit, he was lights-out in 2013. That season, his 2.57 ERA over 182 innings was good enough to finish fourth in the Cy Young voting. If, and that’s a very legitimate if, Sanchez makes the opening day roster, let’s hope he can accumulate an ERA closer to that of five years ago, rather than last year’s 6.41.

The Vikings just leaned on a bargain bin right-hander they acquired during last summer’s offseason. Who’s to say Minnesota’s baseball team won’t have their own version of Case Keenum? Like throwing money on the Twins to win the World Series, my heart is in the right place. With that said, DO NOT hold your breath on that absurd scenario.

Falvey and Levine, whether it be via free agent or trade, are very much exploring their options on acquiring a different, higher-valued starting arm. Naturally, that’s a wonderful idea! If they weren’t, I’d be smashing the proverbial panic button.

Since we’re not at that stage, the adjective I’d use surrounding Friday’s signing, would be concerned. The concern being that Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb will get eaten up by other teams, no trade will be made, and Sanchez ends up making the opening day roster. From there, the past-his-prime pitcher, gets absolutely rocked in his team debut. We’re only in the first week of April and Twins Nation goes managerial-style psycho.

 

Only time will tell. Who knows? Maybe my currently aggressive caffeine levels are causing an overreaction.

On the bright side of things, we are only one move away from having ourselves a new ace:

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/twins-anibal-sanchez-signing-has-concerned/feed/ 1 Sat, 17 Feb 2018 19:26:40 +0000 Minnesota Twins With Investigation & Injury Recovery Looming, Miguel Sano Expected at Spring Training On-Time https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/investigation-injury-recovery-looming-miguel-sano-expected-spring-training-time/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/investigation-injury-recovery-looming-miguel-sano-expected-spring-training-time/#respond Tue, 13 Feb 2018 23:21:58 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=7924

As Twins Nation knows, on Tuesday, pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training. To celebrate, I’m going to zag, while the vast majority of anyone discussing the ball-club zigs. With newspapers and the internet already flooded with Chris Archer talk, let’s look at Miguel Sano.

Between our 3rd Baseman’s injury recovery and the ongoing sexual assault investigation, there are major question marks surrounding the 24 year-old. Here is an update from the ever-reliable Rhett Bollinger (MLB.com) on both of those question marks:

In regards to the injury realm, good shit. Hopefully, working out includes working off a couple extra pounds. His shin is reminiscent of a high school valedictorians shoulders. While all of that weight he/she carried around in their backpack was a unique type of swagger, it couldn’t have been good for their long-term health. To me, Sano’s body is the proverbial book bag. By simply shedding a few pounds, like it would have been for the whiz kid’s posture, it would do wonders for Miguel’s shin situation.

After being named to his first All Star team in 2017, the Dominican native’s season was cut short due to the same lower leg issue we are discussing today.

Career Stats:

Those numbers are courtesy of my friends over at www.baseball-reference.com. Well, they don’t know I exist, so I’m not sure friends is the correct term. Either way, you get my point. Don’t worry. Unlike that Lakeville Middle School principal, I’m not about that stalker life:

Anywho, as for my friends source on the Sano statistics, when you access his profile on their website, you are met with this message:

While the ugly scenario involving the previously mentioned Chris Endicott has indisputable facts (example: electronic mobile tracking) that’s not the case with the allegations against Miguel Sano. Being the sexual assault investigation against Sano is a “he said vs. she said” situation, it’s not nearly as cut and dry of a scenario.

Naturally, like the VAST, VAST majority of Minnesotans, it’s a let the truth be known mindset from me. As implied in previous Sano articles, reaching an accurate conclusion (whatever it may be) on the ongoing investigation, is much more important than anything related to the on-field play of the MN Twins 3rd baseman.

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/investigation-injury-recovery-looming-miguel-sano-expected-spring-training-time/feed/ 0 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 20:08:21 +0000 Minnesota Twins Miguel Sano Trade Talks Heating Up Again… https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/miguel-sano-trade-talks-heating/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/miguel-sano-trade-talks-heating/#respond Wed, 27 Dec 2017 22:41:11 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=5814

Apparently I overvalue Miguel Sano. That’s become obviously clear, as I go through Twitter this afternoon. It was supposed to be a relaxing afternoon. I hit my sales quota early, at the job I still have………… and I have PTO to burn. So, I drove home excited to write a story trolling the Rams, and their quest to avoid the Vikings in the playoffs (an article I still hope to write later today). Naturally, my phone was dead, because I forgot to charge it last night….. classic. So, I threw some leftover Christmas feast into the microwave and plugged my iPhone in.

When I returned with my radiated meal, I had a text awaiting me from Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN: he’s the most under-followed account on Twitter but quickly rising so join the movement), who was working on a now-finished Harrison Smith piece. Yeah, we’re busy trying to blow this site up, remember? Anyway, the text read…. actually, here, read it for yourself:

So, I pulled up the trusty MacBook Air and hit the Twitter machine. Sure enough, the Miguel Sano Hot Stove was ablaze’…

This has already come up, if you recall. And, I wasn’t about it then. I’m still not. I’ll get to why. But first, let me show you all the smart people who disagree with me and would trade Sano for Chris Archer, straight up, without hesitation:

Ted from this tweet above is a really good baseball mind and wrote a something here on why he would pull the trigger on this instantly. You’ll see more supporting the idea right below:

I don’t think great pitching is that hard to find. I understand that the Twins haven’t had it for a long time, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. You still believe in Santa, right? Plus, you know what else the Twins haven’t had in an even longer time? Great long-ball hitting. Brad Radke, Johan Santana, and even Fransisco Liriano, for one memorable rookie season, were great pitchers. The Twins have just swung and missed on a lot on pitchers recently, which has really hurt them. If you look for long-ball hitters across the organization over the last 20 years they are scarce. You might count Justin Morneau, but he never got over 34 HR’s and only made it past 30 three times, in his shortened career. If that is where you see Miguel Sano’s future, then we have a whole different conversation to be had, before even getting into what he is worth on today’s open market.

By the way, Sano and Morneau both have VERY similar numbers in their 24-year-old seasons. Morneau had 22 HR’s and 79 RBI’s that year, just a few away in both categories from Sano, from above (28, 77). When Morneau was 25…. He won the MVP with 34 HR’s and 130 RBI’s…

Am I the only person who seems to see top pitchers being traded every mid-season deadline, for prospects half as established as Sano? Sure, the time left on their contract isn’t that of Archer but who the $%^# cares? Trade a different top-10 AA prospect every year for a new workhorse, that’ll only last one playoff run, for all I care. To add fact to my emotion, look at the list of pitchers who have been traded at the deadline over JUST THE PAST 2 SEASONS (from two SBNation articles)…

Just last year, the Yankees got Sonny Gray for 2 injured prospects, along with a 3rd healthy one, all of whom may become “above-average big-league contributors at some point”, according to MLBDailyDish.com, THEY AREN’T MIGUEL SANO…. In 2016 David Price went to the Blue Jays for 3 pitching prospects I haven’t heard of yet… other than Daniel Norris who was terrible for a brutal Detroit team last year. Also in 2015, Cole Hamels was traded to the Rangers for a lot that was highlighted by Jerad Eickhoff, who has been alright, but is now 27 and had 4 wins with a 4.71 ERA last year… Alright just one more to make my point… ALSO in 2015, Johnny Cueto was traded from the Reds to the Royals for their World Series run. The Reds got 3 stud pitching prospects…. none of which are yet to pan out. Well… not fully. Brandon Finnegan (a bullpen pitcher) has been the best piece the Reds got back, by far. He has pitched 240 innings (172 in 2016), almost all of which have been after the trade. However, he was injured last season and only pitched 13 of those innings then.

So, with all of these deals for star pitchers, why is everyone so quick to give up Sano for Archer? I don’t want to point fingers but the local media doesn’t always help. The fact that he isn’t likely to stay at 3rd for more than a few more seasons plays into it. Is it his seeming refusal to lose weight, which some relate to his injury issues? Many old-schoolers don’t like his strike outs, either. But these are all things we heard about David Ortiz, and part of the reason Tom Kelly didn’t like him.. I know we aren’t DFA’ing Sano like we did Ortiz but if Sano went on to be near the player Ortiz ended up… it would feel the same.

I know the Twins need pitching and I REALLY want them to get another starter, preferably one that would be better than anything we currently have. I am willing to give up *almost any prospect in our system, including Nick Gordon, Fernando Romero or Brent Rooker (*not newly drafted Royce Lewis, because his mom follows us on Twitter… I see you Cindy). But, it’s going to take more than Chris Archer to pry Sano from my fingers. Not when I can find pitching for a better price, when needed for a stretch run. And I won’t have to give up Miguel Sano.

Eric Strack (Founder/Site Builder/Top Dog)
Minnesota Sports Fan @RealMNSportsFan

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/miguel-sano-trade-talks-heating/feed/ 0 Wed, 27 Dec 2017 16:41:11 +0000 Minnesota Twins Should the Minnesota Twins Trade Miguel Sano for Chris Archer? https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/minnesota-twins-trade-miguel-sano-chris-archer/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/minnesota-twins-trade-miguel-sano-chris-archer/#respond Thu, 14 Dec 2017 00:10:18 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=5182 This was nearly an article about the Vikings banged up O-line. That was the game plan, until early Wednesday. The announcement that Minnesota signed RHP Michael Pineda got my Twins’ juices flowing. So, screw it. In lieu of the 2019 signing, let’s double down on some 2018 Twins talk.

There are a plethora of teams interested in trading for Archer. As of the Pineda signing, it is un-clear what Tampa Bay would require in return for the 2x All-Star.

Here is an idea:

As for “who would say no,” I’m uneducated on the opinions of Tampa Bay fans. In regards to Minnesotan’s, there are plenty who would object:

However, there are a fair share of people on the opposite side of the fence. Whether it’s concern over injury or something else (you’re Chris Archer’s cousin), many seem more than prepared to ship out Miguel Sano.

There is NO questioning the Dominican born Sano’s talent. We all saw that over the first half of last season. Sano was the first Twin since Justin Morneau (2009) to have 20 home runs at the All Star break. Any manager would love having his big right-handed bat in their lineup:

 

If you saw the first half of last year, I’m assuming you saw the second. This Twins ball-club had an extremely impressive, exciting stretch. A stretch that resulted in a playoff appearance and Paul Molitor winning A.L. Manager of the year. All of that (basically) was accomplished without Miguel Sano. The early season MVP candidate missed (basically) all of the rest of the second half due to a shin injury. Surgery was ultimately needed and performed on November 17th.

When it comes to Sano, you don’t know what you are going to get. The exact opposite is true for Tampa Bay pitcher, Chris Archer. Over the last four seasons, the 6’2″ right hander hasn’t started less than 32 games. During each of those years, Archer has finished with an E.R.A between 3.23 and 4.07.

Numbers don’t lie:

 

They don’t lie, but they can be deceiving. For example; his 51-63 career record: On the surface, those aren’t All-Star numbers. However, a healthy chunk of those loses can be attributed to a lack of run support. Just last season, the Rays ranked 25th in runs.

He’s not Clayton Kershaw. At the same time, no disrespect to Big Sexy, but…you get the point. If Archer was acquired, he’d immediately slide in with Santana and Berrios at the top of the rotation (Pineda will miss most/all of 2018 due to Tommy John). Falvey and Levine could bank on him for 200+ innings and start plugging other holes.

Who the hell is Chris Archer’s agent? How’d that guy let his near Rookie of the Year Winning client agree to his current contract? The Rays are getting the 2x All-Star at a discount.

If you include team-options, Chris Archer is under terms for four more years. The total cost of those four years is $33.75 million. In comparison, Jake Arrieta is rumored to be valued around $25 million PER YEAR in the free agent market. The former Cy-Young winner is three years older than Archer. You do the math.

Miguel Sano’s agent is the Jay-Z owned, Roc Nation Sports. When it comes his turn to get paid, it won’t be at a bargain. That’s not how Hova operates.

All I know is that I wouldn’t want to be the person to make this decision. If you held the proverbial gun to my head and forced me to decide…I’d do it. The injury concern gets to me. Regardless, if i hit send on trading away Miguel Sano, I’d immediately fear vomit. The nerves associated with trading away that talent is only for the mentally tough. A Dr. Phil type of move.

Unless you have a crystal ball (if you do, DM me), there is no way to know the best way to handle the option of trading our third baseman. In regards to the perplexing Sano for Chris Archer proposal, MLB Analyst Derek Wetmore summed it up best:

If you disagree with my stance, that’s more than fair. Keeping Sano and attempting to bolster our pitching through free agency is very logical. Your optimism regarding our 24 year-old is appreciated. If he can stay healthy, you’re 100% in the right.

Hey Miguel – Make me eat crow. Let’s go big boy! Not everyone at Minnesota Sports Fan agrees with me either…

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN

Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/minnesota-twins-trade-miguel-sano-chris-archer/feed/ 0 Wed, 13 Dec 2017 18:12:29 +0000 Minnesota Twins