Chicago Cubs Rumors: Team, Alex Cobb have ‘mutual interest’

In what can hardly be considered a shocker, a report indicates right-hander Alex Cobb and the Chicago Cubs have mutual interest in agreeing to a deal.

You can chalk this one up under the ‘tell me something I don’t know’ category. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Cubs and free agent right-hander Alex Cobb are both interested in hammering something out this offseason.

Recently, Cobb appeared on MLB Network Radio and made comments that sure made it seem like this is pretty much a done deal as long as Chicago treats him fairly.

‘‘I don’t hide the fact that I have the most respect for [Cubs manager] Joe Maddon and what he did for me coming up as a player — not so much as a pitcher on the mound, but as a professional athlete and professional baseball player,’’ Cobb said during the radio interview. ‘‘It had to deal with the stresses that come with a big-league lifestyle. There’s nobody better in the game to control and deal with people as he is.’’

Even without the front office’s comments about the team’s priority (surprise, it’s pitching), we all knew what this offseason would bring for the Cubs. The bullpen fell flat on its face in October – and after losing Jake Arrieta and John Lackey to free agency, the rotation needs filled out in a big way.

Cobb may be the perfect guy to kick off the winter.

Familiarity with a new club

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The right-hander has never pitched outside of Tampa Bay. The Rays drafted him and he has experience working with both Maddon and new Cubs pitching coach Jim Hickey, as well. Adding Hickey to the mix may be what pushes Cobb to the finish-line when choosing a new home in 2018.

Cobb pitched to a 3.66 earned run average last season. He made a career-high 29 starts, as well. Make no mistake. This isn’t the guy you bring in to headline a rotation. But’s a quality big-league starter whose impact would certainly be felt. For most teams, he slots in as a solid third starter. Which, coincidentally, is where he would likely slide in for the Cubs.

Why this makes so much sense

Hear me out. No, really. Listen.

The Cubs desperately need controllable bullpen pieces. (For the record, Zach Britton does not fall into that category, folks). Given their depleted farm system, it’s hard to imagine them pulling off trades without losing big-league talent. That being said, it was bound to happen.

When you stockpile young position players, you know that, inevitably, someone will be traded. That shouldn’t be a problem for anyone who follows this organization – or any team for that matter. But if you can go out and sign Cobb, who costs financial resources, rather than on-field talent, you do it. The signing would address a big hole for the Cubs – leaving those trade chips in the hand of Theo and Jed.

And that’s when the bullpen makeover begins.

Next: What if Arrieta leaves Chicago - only to join the Cards?

You never know what might happen in the offseason. Remember Dexter Fowler‘s unlikely return to Chicago last spring? When a three-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles ran rampant online? But, at this admittedly-early stage of the winter, all signs point to Alex Cobb coming to the North Side.