Chris Archer, At Last a Fifth Starter?

Stacy Long is reporting that RHP Chris Archer is on his way to the Bulls. Adam Sobsey over at Indy Week is reporting the transaction as well. Chris Archer is the very personable young (22 year old) pitcher who came to the Rays system from the Cubs in trade for the Rays' Matt Garza. That trade also included current Bulls Brandon Guyer and Robinson Chirinos, Rays outfielder Sam Fuld, and shortstop prospect Hak-Ju Lee now with the Biscuits.

Mr. Archer is from Clayton, so we can expect a flurry of interest from the newspapers that generally ignore the Bulls such as the Raleigh News & Observer.

Important to us is that the Bulls may at last have a legitimate fifth starter in the rotation, something we haven’t seen since Richard De Los Santos (remember him?) went on the disabled list back in mid-April. Even if Archer's stats are not world-beating, he’s been able to start 25 games this year for the Biscuits. That’s more than any pitcher on the Bulls roster — which says something about the turmoil in that role this year.

Welcome aboard, Chris. Have been looking forward to seeing you pitch all year.