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

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.