ST. PETE, FL. - It’s been a rough few years for Chris Archer.

Ever since “Arch” was traded from Tampa to Pittsburgh in 2018, the Rays former ace has fallen from top of the rotation.

“I’ve learned a lot these last two to three years,” said Archer, who is back in the Bay on a one-year deal.

“He hasn’t been in a position where he has won that many games, he’s had injuries – things didn’t go that well for him in Pittsburgh,” said Rays’ Senior VP of baseball operations and general manager Erik Neander.

Archer went 6-12 with 4.92 ERA in his time with the Pirates. While the Rays have been to the postseason twice, including a trip to the World Series last season.

The Rays success has come in part because of two players involved in the Archer trade – Tyler Glasnow, who goes into spring training as the presumed ace of the staff, and Austin Meadows, who was an All Star in 2019.  

“The on-field talent is super, super impressive,” Archer said. “It is super, super deep.

I want to be part of that fun. I want to be part of that magic.”

That desire to be around a winning culture is what led Archer back to the Rays. It’s a far cry from what he experienced in his first stint with the club.

“He was here through a lot of the transition period, where, at best we were an 80-win club,” said Neander, who has seen, or been part of, trades involving former Rays aces like James Shields, David Price, Archer and Blake Snell.

“I was part of the .500 culture whenever I was there,” said Archer.  “So, being part of the winning culture has been a big reason for my interest in coming back to Tampa.”

Archer will also return to familiar coaches who know how to get the best out of their players.

“What do you do extremely well? Let’s just heighten that and sharpen some other things that need some sharpening,” said Archer.

But it means more than just baseball. Coming back to Tampa gives Archer a rare opportunity few athletes ever get.

“Get that second crack, really cement his legacy with this community and with this fan base,” said Neander.

And, above all, help the Rays finish their mission and bring another title back to Tampa.

“I know what the goal is,” said Archer. “It’s to win those last two games of the season.