Multiple sources have reported that the Baltimore Orioles have signed starting pitcher Alex Cobb to a four-year, $60 million deal pending a physical.
The 30-year-old held out for a multi-year deal while many of his counter parts settled for one or two-year deals. He even turned down a four-year, $48 million deal from the Cubs earlier this offseason in order to wait for what he felt was a fair offer. While he has far less of a shot at a ring with the Orioles than the Cubs, that extra $3 million a year should make up the difference. (The Cubs have signed Yu Darvish, Drew Smyly and Tyler Chatwood this offseason to fill out their rotation.)
Cobb went 12-10 with a 3.66 ERA and 4.16 FIP in 2017 with the Rays. In 179.1 innings he struck out 128 and walked 44 in his first full season since the Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss all of 2015 and most of 2016.
Before his surgery he was very effective, as across 2013 and 2014 he went 21-12 with a 2.82 ERA and 3.29 FIP in 309.2 innings. He was clearly effective enough in 2017 to earn him a contract based on his past numbers’ value as well.
