Tampa Bay Rays: Alex Cobb Continues to Draw Interest

Alex Cobb is a year away from free agency and is generating interest on the trade market. How much longer will he remain with the Tampa Bay Rays?

Being traded is a distinct probability as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays. As players approach free agency, and get more expensive through the arbitration process, it becomes more and more likely that they will be moved for prospects. It is simply how the Rays need to operate in order to remain on budget, and hopefully, remain competitive.

That is the reality facing Alex Cobb as he prepares for the 2017 season. A free agent after the season, Cobb’s name had come up in trade rumors throughout the offseason. However, given that he is still coming back from Tommy John surgery, and struggled to an 8.59 ERA and a 1.773 WHiP. However, as a possible buy low candidate, one could understand why teams were interested, and why the Rays were loath to part with Cobb.

Despite that lack of movement, Cobb has remained a constant presence in trade chatter. The Cubs and the Dodgers, two teams with ties to the Rays, have been interested in bringing Cobb on board. And Cobb, for his part, understands that he could be on the move at some point during the season.

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With the way he has performed in Spring Training, one can only imagine that the interest in Cobb will increase. While one can take Spring Training statistics with a grain of salt, Cobb is getting closer to his per surgery form. In his 8.1 innings, he has posted a 3.24 ERA and a 1.08 WHiP, allowing seven hits and two walks while striking out four. Maybe the strikeouts are not where Cobb and the Rays would have hoped for, but the results have been promising nonetheless.

This performance also underscores why the Rays did not want to trade Cobb during the offseason. Typically, it takes two years for a pitcher to come all the way back from Tommy John surgery, and Cobb is starting to show that normal progression.

Should the Rays fall out of contention, it would not be a surprise to see Cobb moved closer to the trade deadline. Given his track record, Cobb could be the type of pitcher a team on the cusp of the postseason looks for. Likewise, for those teams with World Series aspirations, Cobb would be an attractive piece for the middle of the rotation. The Rays could well improve their return by continuing to stay the course.

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Alex Cobb is still generating interest on the trade front. If he is truly back from Tommy John surgery, the Tampa Bay Rays could end up with a solid haul in return.