The Brewers are among the MLB organizations to have shown some level of interest in free agent righty Alex Cobb, according to a report from Jon Morosi of MLB Network (via Twitter). Per Morosi, Milwaukee has spoken with Cobb’s agency “recently” about the veteran starter. Of course, it’s also far from clear how serious the interest is.
Last we heard, the asking price was still high for Cobb, who even appears to have some hope of securing five guaranteed seasons. As MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes has noted, the surprisingly lofty payday secured by Tyler Chatwood seemingly bodes well for Cobb’s market.
The ongoing delay in free agent signings has many wondering whether some open-market players will end up taking a haircut as against expectations. To this point, however, we’ve yet to see any top-tier free agents settle for contracts that would support such a conclusion.
In Cobb’s case, it seems there’s still wide interest in his services. While the Brewers won’t be expected to bid up a massive payday, they have plenty of money to work with, making them a legitimate potential suitor on paper. The division-rival Cubs have long been cited as a top potential landing spot, with teams like the Rangers, Yankees, Blue Jays, and Orioles among those having shown prior interest.
Prior surgeries continue to represent a possible drag on Cobb’s market, but he is fresh off of a productive and healthy 2017 campaign in which he ran up a 3.50 ERA over 179 1/3 innings. Plus, of course, Cobb has demonstrated the talent for even greater productivity; in 309 2/3 innings over 2013-14, he compiled a 2.82 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9.
Didn’t they just sign Yo Gallardo and Radhames Liz? Where exactly would Cobb fit on the roster?
1b
Neither is likely to be a starter, Cobb would be. Yo and RadLiz are long relief and 6th starters if they even make the team.
Cubs want Cobb but only for 4/60. Cobb wants Cubs but for 5/90. All posturing by both sides until someone budges. I think Cubs will win this one and get him for 4/64.
Would rather have Darvish, but that gives them flexibility
They have flexibility whichever route they choose. They might as well be printing money.
They still have to stay under the luxury tax, they don’t have that much space.
They don’t HAVE to, but they’d like to.
If I remember correctly, they have about $37M to work with before hitting the tax. That’s plenty to sign a TOR pitcher and a reliever/closer.
Probably need a backup outfielder too unless they plan on using someone from the inside. And maybe a backup catcher
Caratini is a capable back up for Contreras. Heyward, Happ, Schwarber and Heyward.in the outfield
Contreras and Bryant can both play there, too.
Anyone they would want at or the 5th outfied spot would be a very low price.
Contreras, Caratini, Schwarber in emergency situations, and Taylor Davis, do they really need another catcher?
An experienced catcher would be better. I still think they need 1 outfielder. I’m not sold on just Almora and Happ for Center.
Think they re sign Jon Jay
He would be fine I wouldn’t mind dyson or Rajai Davis either
Cobb/Darvish plus Addison Reed. That finishes off season well
Catcher yes. OF no. I am sold on Almora, Hulk and Heyward. Leaves Happ and Zo behind them
Ichiroooo
The Cubs have an abundance of guys who can play OF, just like they have on the infield. Almora, Schwarber, Heyward, Contreras, Bryant, Zobrist, and Happ all have spent regular time out in the OF.
Rivera would be nice. And cheap. Say 1yr- 3.5′? Someone help me on his value here. That’s a guess. Need him at 2m to make these 4 work under 37 mil. Need that veteran leadership back that was lost after Ross. Sign Cobb for 4 years but go to 68 million. 17 AAV. Better than 5-80-85?? But to make it work with these 4 would prob need to go to 5 and do 5-75. ISign A. Reed to a 3-33 or 4-40m?? And I’d prefer Jon Jay back for 2 years 20m. So that’s AAV 15, 10, 10, 2 Thats 37!! And a lethal pen. Jay off the bench? Yes, I think so. And if Cobb performs to his high side and isn’t much of a drop from Arrieta or the same with more consistency and less BB’s…. you have a championship team.. Reed and Cobb are the main 2 here. Rivera is needed but I think Caratini can handle it. I think Schwarber should play a tiny bit at C as well. Jay may be the underrated move here. But his production may also be replaced easier as well. Schwarber and Russell absolutely have to take a step forward for this team to maintain their prowess at the top of the NL Central, and legitimate chance at the next World Series or 3. I’d like some feedback…..
Use fewer punctuation marks- specifically, fewer exclamation points. I don’t like being yelled at. #feedback
Agreed. Cubs probably posturing Cobb with Darvish interest. Though if Darvish would take anything close….
Gallardo is a swingman now, theyd probbly prefer to keep him out of high leverage situations
rosterresource.com/mlb-milwaukee-brewers has the current rotation being: Anderson-Davies-Chacin-Gallardo-Guerra, with Nelson coming back at some point. Obviously Gallardo and Guerra are two easily-upgraded upon SPs who probably are a handful of bad outings away from a DFA if we’re being honest. I absolutely love sticking Cobb at the front of that rotation
Cobb-Anderson-Davies-Chachin-Gallardo/Guerra->Nelson is certainly a very solid one and one that should serve them close to the postseason. The longer this weird offseason lasts, I could see them doing a 1-year/$25M deal with Lorenzo Cain, just to make sure Phillips and Brinson are ready and not lose games by playing the rookies. Phillips had a .408 BABIP last year, he actually wasn’t as good as his numbers may have shown. I think Milwaukee should be looking for a CF for sure, and a guy who’s been there like Cain, helps a contender more than hurts.
Gallardo was in no way shape or form brought back to be in the starting rotation. He is long relief only. That’s if he even makes the roster. That’s a big if. He’s been terrible.
Dunno why you directed this at me, I agree, I see Milwaukee getting Cobb and/or Arrieta or two other SPs and really going for it. I said Gallardo is “a handful of bad outings away from a DFA”. OP was the one who acted like he was actually going to be in the rotation.
Cobb-Arrieta-Anderson-Davies-Chachin/Nelson is going to go deep in the playoffs
Milwaukee has a gluttony of OF. Phillips and Brinson. Keyon. Not to mention Corey Ray in the minors. And the corners are full too.
I would assume it would be Anderson-Davies-Chacin-Woodruff-Suter if we don’t sign another starter but if we get Cobb it would be Cobb-Anderson-Davies-Chacin-Woodruff
No need for another outfielder it will be Santana in right broxton in center and a platoon of Braun/Phillips/Brinson in left we also have Perez who play of we will be fine !!!
Gallardo, and Liz are likely depth starters, and long relief/spot starter. I highly doubt they signed them with the intention of using them as the main replacements for Nelson.
He would be the ace. They even have a #2. All there pitchers are 3,4 and 5s
This is setting up to be the most active January ever.
Or most disappointing offseason ever.
These guys will be signed, maybe not for what they wanted but they will be. I’m a little worried for some of the players not getting signed. I guess it’s part of the game.
Ha! Hopefully.
Lol. Would have to be. Nothing been going on.
Everybody waiting for the Darvish sign. That will set market for the others.
All agents should just come out and ask all 30 teams “hey, would any of you pay over $200M for any of these FAs?” and if they say no, then its a sellers market and these FAs will start taking 1 year deals when teams are pooling money to spend.
That would be a terrific negotiating strategy.
That would be a good deal for Cobb
If I remember right Gallardo contract isn’t guaranteed so it still will be a good sign. I think a lot depends on lefthander relief pick ups. That gives the Brewers at least a chance to stretch out Hader in Spring training. I think Derby and Houser have big parts with the Brewers this year.
All MLB contracts are guaranteed. I don’t believe he signed a minor league contract.
his contract is only guaranteed if he cracks the major league roster
No they’re not. There are two types. “Guaranteed” and, in Gallardo’s case, “non-guaranteed”. Milwaukee can cut him before the end of ST and he becomes a FA again. His money is only guaranteed if he makes the opening day roster. If he does, then his base salary ($2 million) becomes guaranteed.
That’s why I said “MLB contract”…implying one is on the MLB roster.
Gallardo IS on the 40 man MLB roster. He can be released during spring training and is owed only 30 or 45 days worth of pay or the contract becomes guaranteed if he makes the opening day roster. It’s the same situation a player on an arbitration contract.
Im surprised that the cubs didn’t sign Alex Cobb yet
Whoever signs Cobb will be very sorry. Shouldn’t be paying for ability he used to have.
Compare his numbers in 2017 to Arrieta.
The Irony being Chatwood has a strong case to be a bargain signing, while Cobb could be a classic overpay
Cobb had a 3.66 ERA last year. Still good, but a little less good than stated above. I still like his upside on the Crew.
If he does anywhere close to last year on the Brewers, the rotation will be really good and the potential postgame staff will be great. Nelson, Cobb, Anderson, Davies with Chacin, Gallardo maybe, Hader, Knebel, Jeffress, maybe a mid-season bullpen trade Ala Swarzak last year, that would be really good!
The staff is just a couple moves away from being very good.
He’s also be moving from the AL East to the NL though. There’s no reason he can’t be better
Cobb moving to NL helps. Plus a year removed from Tommy John. I expect good things for on him somewhere.
I like Cobb, but I like him for a Brandon McCarthy or Scott Kazmir contract with the max of Matt Garza. Too much of an injury risk.
I’m sure Cobb will be just as good of a deal as Garza was for the brew crew.
sob
I still like the Gallardo signing. A mop up guy who can hit for himself !
It would likely be very similar to the Garza deal and the other deals for free agent starters: two decent years where they eat innings and then suckage. Signing him for two years would be great, even at $20M per. Same for Arrieta and Darvish. But going four years or more? Forget that. None are going to be #1/#2 pitchers for more than half of the years on their contracts.
While Davis and Santana got a decent AAV they did take a haircut on years and total dollars which everyone except teams up against the LT have always placed the most importance on.
Also the earlier signings of better players usually tend to be the better deals for the player. January looks to be a blood bath
Also it looks as if agent leaks to show team interest in their players are being blackballed. So few rumors. Somebody not doing their job
I said it before and I’ll say it again,
I ACobb will win a Cy Young before all is said and done
Spending that type of money on Cobb who’s a #4/#5 pitcher is ridiculous. Strap on your boots Theo and get DARVISH
Cobb is a solid lock for 2.0 WAR (or more). That’s your idea of a #4/#5 pitcher?
I feel like Darvish has enough innings more than Arrieta to be Leary of signing him at age 32 to a 5 year deal to age 36.
4 years 88 million is my contract offer to Yu. 90m would be my ceiling
5 years 110 for Arrieta would be the offer with a max of 118Cobb would be 4 yrs 64m with a max of 68.
January should be very interesting. So should February. I believe these FA’s may be in for a rude awakening. UNless!!! The price goes down and more teams interest is piqued, and then they get in a bidding war from that route.
Looking back at Cobb’s career (both major leagues and minor leagues), why wasn’t he considered a top 100 prospect?
Just based off his (minor league) stats from 2010 and 2011, he looks like someone who could’ve been as high as a top 75 prospect.
He was in a loaded Tampa system – he ranked as high as #14 in that system, but that was in the heyday of Tampa’s minor-league system. Some of the guys on that list ahead of him were Longoria, Delmon Young (I know…), Davis, McGee, Hellickson, Niemann, Hammell…there was a good reason to rank those guys ahead of him. Cobb had health issues dating back to when he was drafted, and of course the stuff has never been wipeout stuff. That might help explain it. He was also playing in leagues with tons of prospects, too, so that may have had something to do with it. Just lost in the shuffle.
Gallardo is going to be in the bullpen Signing Cobb would be better for a couple of our young pitchers to get a little more seasoning in AAA which I think would be the best route to go and would add a lot more depth in case of injuries
I feel like unless it’s a somewhat favorable contract, he isn’t the type of pitcher that DS would try to move on right now. We have serviceable pitchers in Suter and Woodruff who have shown value last year. I don’t think it’s likely that there would be any discount with Cobb so my guess is the Cubs will end up getting him. If we are going to make an addition to the rotation from outside the organization, I personally would prefer a trade and keep the payroll open until we are ready to go all in
I really hope the Crew doesn’t do this, go with what you have and see how its going half way into the season. I would rather see them trade away prospects for a guy in his mid 20’s than sign some 30 year old into a 4 or 5 year deal.