Rays welcome back pitcher Chris Archer on one-year deal
February 12, 2021 - Former All-Star pitcher Chris Archer, who spent seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays before being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018, is returning to the team on a one-year, $6.5 million contract. Archer, 32, was a free agent after missing most of the 2020 season with a neck injury. His signing brings the Rays’ 40-man roster to full capacity as the team gears up for spring training. During his highly successful first stint with the Rays, Archer was named to the American League All-Star team in 2015 and 2017, and he pitched for Team USA in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He ranks highly among the franchise leaders in strikeouts, starts, innings pitched and wins.