Angels News: What a trade for Alex Cobb means going forward

The Angels potentially added another piece to their rotation today after reportedly making a trade for Orioles starting pitcher Alex Cobb.

The Halos are sending minor-league second baseman Jahmai Jones to Baltimore in exchange for Cobb. Jones was a former second-round pick in 2015 and is currently listed as the Angels No.7 prospect.

In addition, the Orioles will also pay more than half of the remaining one-year, $15 million on Cobb’s current deal.

The reported trade for pitcher Alex Cobb seems to bring more questions than answers for the Angels.

Cobb, 33, made ten starts last summer where he posted a 4.30 ERA and 1.338 WHIP in 52 1/3 innings pitched for Baltimore. The right-hander entered the 2020 campaign following season-ending hip surgery after making just three starts in 2019.

There was a time when Cobb looked to be ace material. From 2013-2014 Cobb averaged a 2.82 ERA and 1.145 WHIP to go along with a 3.08 strikeout-to-walk ratio as a member of Joe Maddon’s Rays.

Cobb missed the entire 2015 season, plus time in 2016 following Tommy John surgery. Since then, Cobb has yet to regain his form from his best seasons in Tampa Bay.

Alex Cobb Last Five Seasons:

• 2016: (5 games) (1-2, 8.59 ERA) 22 IP 1.773 WHIP 2.9 BB/9 6.5 K/9
• 2017: (29 games) (12-10, 3.66 ERA) 179.1 IP 1.221 WHIP 2.2 BB/9 6.4 K/9
• 2018: (28 games) (5-15, 4.90 ERA) 152.1 IP 1.411 WHIP 2.5 BB/9 6.0 K/9
• 2019: (3 games) (0-2, 10.95 ERA) 12.1 IP 1.865 WHIP 1.5 BB/9 5.8 K/9
• 2020: (10 games) (2-5, 4.30 ERA) 52.1 IP 1.338 WHIP 3.1 BB/9 6.5 K/9

These statistics don’t exactly give the Angels a dominant starter who will make them a legit contender in the American League. It remains to be seen if the Halos will add more starters between now and the start of the season.

I think, if he can stay healthy, Cobb will eat innings for the Angels, but they still need to add a true ace if they plan on competing for a World Series in 2021.