Former All-Star MLB pitcher Chris Archer is joining the Dodgers this offseason. No, not to address their pitching need, but to take a role within the front office as a special assistant on the baseball operations side of things.
Archer had not officially retired from playing baseball, but it seems that he had been looking for something new to do. Archer spoke about his new role and what led him to take it.
“It’s giving me an opportunity to learn and help some younger players, too,” Archer told the Post-Gazette. “Player development, scouting, analytics, roster construction, draft, trade ... everything I can possibly learn from that perspective so that I can make a decision whether I want to go the player development or front office route.”
Archer spent 10 years in baseball and has a career ERA of 3.93. He was once seen as one of the better pitchers in the game, and many fans wanted him to come to Los Angeles.
Archer spent a good portion of his career with the Tampa Bay Rays, so Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is quite familiar with him. He also spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Minnesota Twins before taking on this new job.
In his new role, he brings years of experience to the table, and LA likely sees this as a good chance to learn from him. This hire came shortly after the team brought on former slugger Nelson Cruz to be an advisor.
We wish Chris the best of luck in his new role and welcome him to the city of Los Angeles!
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