Los Angeles Angels: Three free agent targets to pursue this offseason
By Jason Reed
2. RHP Alex Cobb
Another area of need for the Los Angeles Angels next season is the pitching staff. The Angels staff has been plagued with injuries in the past, and now, they do not have as many arms as before. While the arms they do have are young and talented, it is without a doubt that the Angels need to bolster their staff.
Garrett Richards is the perennial ace of the staff. Tyler Skaggs and Andrew Heany have immense potential and Parker Bridwell could be a solid fifth man in the rotation. With Ricky Nolasco hitting the free agent market the Angels are missing that fifth guy. The perfect fifth guy for the Angels is Alex Cobb.
Alex Cobb is not an ace by any standard, but he is the perfect experienced pitcher to throw behind Garrett Richards set the table with a nice one-two punch. If Richards were to get hurt, which is almost guaranteed at this point, Cobb does have what it takes to carry the pitching staff the rest of the way.
Last season with the Tampa Bay Rays Cobb posted a 3.66 ERA with a 12-10 record. At his best, Cobb has proven that he could be a potential all-star pitcher. In his best season, 2014, Cobb started 27 games with a 2.87 ERA and 149 strikeouts.
At only 30 years old Cobb is entering his athletic prime, thus the best years are upon him. While he may be asking for a hefty contract, the Angels should lock him down for at least three seasons to help push towards their first playoff win this decade.