Mon Dec 09 20:40:00 UTC 2024: **Detroit Tigers Sign Veteran Pitcher Alex Cobb to One-Year Deal**
DETROIT, MI – The Detroit Tigers have agreed to a one-year contract with veteran right-handed pitcher Alex Cobb, pending a physical, the team announced today. Financial details of the deal have not yet been disclosed.
Cobb, 37, spent the 2024 season with the San Francisco Giants and Cleveland Guardians, but was hampered by injuries, limiting him to just five starts and 22 innings pitched. Despite this, the Tigers are optimistic that Cobb can return to his pre-injury form, referencing his strong performance from 2021-2023 where he made 74 starts, throwing 394 ⅓ innings with a 3.79 ERA.
This signing aligns with the Tigers’ recent strategy under President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris, who has favored shorter-term deals for starting pitchers. The team made the playoffs in 2024 for the first time in a decade and, while possessing a promising young core, has opted for cost-effective, high-upside signings rather than committing to high-priced, long-term contracts for established stars.
The Tigers currently have a full 40-man roster and will need to make a corresponding roster move once the Cobb deal becomes official. Cobb joins a rotation that includes Tarik Skubal and Reese Olson, with several other young pitchers vying for spots. The addition of Cobb aims to provide much-needed rotation depth and stability after a 2024 season marked by pitching injuries and frequent bullpen games. While the Tigers have expressed interest in other starting pitchers, the signing of Cobb represents a significant step in solidifying their pitching staff for the upcoming season.
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