Rays Dirty Dozen: SP Depth Leads Rays into 2016

Apr 6, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb (53) looks on against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field. Baltimore Orioles defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

RHP Alex Cobb – 28 years old

The Rays could feasibly have two aces leading them towards the playoffs by the time August ends if Cobb has a bump-free return from injury. While that’s no guarantee, it has to be enticing for the Rays to consider such a high-quality rotation. Fully healthy, a rotation with Archer, Cobb, Odorizzi, Smyly, and Moore/Ramirez would be well ahead of all other A.L. rotations and could be the difference between their making the playoffs and their being relegated to another .500 or so season. If he returns to his 2.8 WAR rating form of 2014, it gives the Rays a dynamic duo.

Also part of trade chatter, along with Odorizzi, it’s also entirely possible that he is dealt once he proves to be healthy – or even before he does. I’m of the belief that teams have been low-balling he Rays in making offers for Cobb and that they value him more than the possible returns, so for now, I’d consider it likely that he remains with the team and joins Archer at the top of the rotation for the last third of the season. That has to make you smile, right?

Next: We head to minors depth at #8