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

1 of 3

Alex Cobb (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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.

Alex Cobb (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /

As mentioned, it’s a long-shot for general manager Perry Minasian to believe Alex Cobb is the ace this team has been looking for. Given his injury history, at-best, Cobb could be a No.3-4 starter in the current Angels rotation.

Angels Starting Rotation Options:

RHP Dylan Bundy
LHP Jose Quintana
RHP Alex Cobb
LHP Andrew Heaney
RHP Griffin Canning
RHP Jaime Barria
RHP Shohei Ohtani

Manager Joe Maddon has previously spoken on a six-man rotation, so that could be a possibility for the 2021 season. Regardless, the more arms, the better.

Outside of Bundy and Quintana, I don’t think any of the starting pitchers listed above have a guaranteed spot in the rotation. That is, given the idea that the Angels plan on being competitive for an entire season.

In his nine MLB seasons, Cobb has thrown more than 150 innings just three times. Last season, Cobb averaged 5 2/3 innings pitched in his ten starts.

Quintana is the only current Angels pitcher to eclipse 200 innings in a full-season. The left-hander accomplished this four times as a member of the White Sox from 2013-2016.

Bundy was on pace for 170-180 innings through 30 starts last season. I think Bundy is ready to take that next step as a top of the rotation starting pitcher, but the Halos still need more regardless if this happens.

Even with the addition of Alex Cobb, the Angels still do not have a true ace in their starting rotation.

The foundation of starting pitchers is solid enough to build on, but without a true ace leading this group, it’s hard to believe it will be enough to carry the Angels into the postseason and beyond.

Given the Orioles are taking on a large majority of Cobb’s contract, it’s possible the Angels are not done adding another starter this offseason. If they plan on competing in 2021, they need to.

With all of the new additions and their one-year deals, I’m not sure that’s the case.

The addition of Cobb fits the pattern of one-year rental players the Angels have acquired this offseason.

Cobb adds to the list of nine current Halos who will be free agents following the 2021 season. Four of those players are the following starting pitchers: Cobb, Quintana, Heaney, Bundy.

All of these one-year additions lead me to believe owner Arte Moreno and the Angels are maybe considering going for it all this season. From a salary perspective, it makes sense not to commit long-term deals given there will be a lot of money coming off the payroll in the next two seasons.

Fans understandably don’t want to hear it, but the organization will view this season as a ‘whatever happens, win or lose’, it’s a win-win scenario for the future.

If the Angels are winning with this current group, a significant trade can be made around the deadline for an impact player who can put the Halos over the top.

If the Angels fall out of contention early, the one-year rental players will be traded to contending teams for future assets. This will give the Halos a head start at building for 2022, but another wasted year for Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon.

The offseason needs have been addressed, but not with the type of talent or big-name players fans have been asking for.

Next. 5 Angels legends who fit perfect with this current team

Want your voice heard? Join the Halo Hangout team!

Write for us!

There’s always the possibility Cobb and this current group does enough to make the Angels competitive. Though, the statistics and history of the current roster say otherwise on paper. At this point it’s hoping for the best, until Moreno and Minasian bring in guaranteed improvements.

Home / LA Angels News

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

Even with the addition of Alex Cobb, the Angels still do not have a true ace in their starting rotation.

Schedule