Blue Jays: Could Chris Archer be a worthy reclamation project?

Pitcher Chris Archer is one of the latest players to hit the free-agent market this offseason, however, could he be a worthy reclamation project for 2021?

The Pittsburgh Pirates opted not to pick up the $11 million dollar option on Chris Archer for next season making the hurler a free agent. The Pirates acquired Archer from the Tampa Bay Rays at the 2018 trade deadline and paid an exorbitant price.

The Bucs sent Tyler Glasnow, Austin Meadows, and pitching prospect Shane Baz to the Sunshine State in exchange for 33 starts from Archer. During his tenure in Pittsburgh, Archer went 6-12 with a 4.92 earned run average and a 1.3 WAR.

The 32-year old hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2019 after undergoing thoracic outlet surgery on his shoulder this past June.

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Archer could possibly be had on a short-term pact while the hurler attempts to build back up his value. Perhaps an incentive-laden contract with a team option for 2022 could be worth exploring for the Blue Jays brain trust.

The former 5th round selection of the Cleveland Indians has a proven pedigree pitching in the AL East and could be a decent low-risk/high reward candidate if he can somehow regain his previous form.

President Mark Shapiro and General Manager Ross Atkins were in the Cleveland front office when they selected him out of high school in 2006 so they have a familiarity with Archer. The Indians would trade Archer to the Chicago Cubs in the winter of 2008 in the Mark DeRosa swap.

Archer could slide into the bottom of the Blue Jays rotation and has a track record for being an innings eater when healthy. He could be a more viable option than the likes of Tanner Roark or Chase Anderson, although, the team declined Anderson’s option making him a free agent earlier this week.

Taijuan Walker was a reclmation project for the Mariners this season and we all know how that turned out, maybe Archer still has a little magic left in that arm.

Whay are your thoughts, would you take a flyer on Archer this offseason?