Report: Archer not available unless offer overwhelms Rays

Chris Archer may be in the midst of the worst season of his career, but that doesn't mean the Tampa Bay Rays are just going to give away the right-hander to interested clubs.

Tampa Bay has told clubs Archer isn't available unless somebody totally overwhelms them with an offer, reports ESPN's Buster Olney.

The 27-year-old was being scouted by a number of teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, during a start Friday against the Baltimore Orioles, where he allowed four earned runs on seven hits in a loss - his 13th of the season.

Archer is attached to an appealing contract for teams through 2020. He'll earn $2.9 million in 2016, $4.9 million in 2017, $6.4 million in 2019, and $7.6 million in 2020. The right-hander also has team options for $9 million in 2020 and $11 million in 2021.

After going 12-13 with a 3.23 ERA while striking out 252 hitters in 212 innings of work last season, Archer has struggled to a 4-13 mark as opposing hitters have raised their average 35 points against the slider specialist.