Colorado Rockies: “What if” and the starting pitcher free agents

DENVER, CO - JULY 4: Relief pitcher Jordan Lyles #24 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to home plate during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field on July 4, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JULY 4: Relief pitcher Jordan Lyles #24 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to home plate during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field on July 4, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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Alex Cobb

SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 3: Starter Alex Cobb. Getty Images.
SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 3: Starter Alex Cobb. Getty Images.

Why: Alex Cobb was a mainstay in Tampa Bay. Now with the team trading away their stars, it’s not likely Cobb would be up for a reunion.

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The one thing that most guys on teams that aren’t pushing for a playoff run want is a team that is pushing for a playoff run. The Rockies would be a perfect fit for Cobb in terms of finding a team that will make it to the postseason.

Cobb, 30, had a good 2017. Although he had a high ERA of 3.66, he came out with 128 strikeouts and only walked 44 guys in 179.1 innings.

Now Cobb does lack the postseason experience compared to the other two men I talk about in this article, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t gain it from playing with the Rockies.

With Cobb, you have another guy who can pitch a lot of innings and will be able to go deeper into games than some of the young guys. While his projections may be a little subpar, there’s no telling how beneficial Cobb could be for the Rockies.

Spot in the rotation: 2nd. I wouldn’t say Alex Cobb is ace material for the Rockies. In reality, I could see him after Jon Gray and before Chad Bettis. That way it’s a nice mix of younger and older guys.

Price: Well, for once, I’m glad to say Cobb is not a client of Scott Boras. His contract would also be cheaper than Jake Arrieta. Cobb made $4.2 million last year so that’s a big difference in what asking prices could be. MLBTradeRumors.com has projected him at $13-$14 million per season in his new contract … when he signs.

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