DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have reportedly reached a deal with veteran starting pitcher Alex Cobb, according to Ken Rosenthal.
The deal is for one season and is pending a physical, Rosenthal said.
Cobb is the first major signing of the offseason for the Tigers, and it comes on the first day of the winter meetings.
Detroit needs to add to a starting rotation that’s full of question marks beyond Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and young righty Reese Olson.
Jackson Jobe, the No. 1 pitching prospect in the game, is likely to get a shot, but that still leaves two spots up in the air.
The Tigers made a surprise playoff run this summer on the backs of openers and bulk relievers, but manager A.J. Hinch and president Scott Harris acknowledge that that’s not a sustainable strategy over 162 games.
Cobb has been mostly solid through his mid-30s. Now 37 years old, he’s entering his 14th MLB season after pitching just 16.1 innings for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024 due to injury.
Cobb threw 301 innings between 2022 and 2023 with the San Francisco Giants, putting up a 3.80 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. He struck out 282 batters and quietly racked up 5.0 WAR.
Cobb allowed two runs in three innings against the Tigers in a Game 3 loss in the ALDS this postseason, and then allowed three runs in 2.2 innings against the Yankees in Game 1 of the ALCS, also a loss.
He’s no star, but there are a few things you count on: Cobb will throw a ton of strikes and keep the ball on the ground at an elite rate.
Cobb relies mostly on a sinker-splitter combination, but he’ll also mix in a curveball when he needs a whiff.
The Tigers are looking to build on a strong 2024 season that culminated with an AL wild card spot and upset of the Houston Astros in the first round.
Free-agent right-hander Alex Cobb in agreement with Tigers on one-year contract, sources tell @TheAthletic. Deal is pending a physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 9, 2024
