The Detroit Tigers have acquired a new pitcher for their starting rotation from the free agent pool.
They have come to an agreement with a right-handed pitcher from the Cleveland Guardians on a one-year deal, subject to a physical examination, as first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Cobb, who turned 37 last October, had a challenging 2024 season, spending most of it sidelined with a hip problem and a right shoulder injury. Despite limited appearances, he showed some of the best form of his 13-year MLB career. His time on the mound was restricted, as he didn’t pitch until August after being traded from the Giants to the Guardians in July. Following just two starts, he suffered a broken fingernail that put him on the injured list. He made one more start in September, where he threw a perfect game until the seventh inning before being taken out due to a blister on his right finger.
In his three regular-season starts, Cobb posted a 2.76 ERA over 16.1 innings. He also made two postseason starts for Cleveland, but his second game was shortened due to a back issue before he could finish three innings. When combining both regular season and postseason stats, Cobb ended the 2024 season with an ERA just above 4.0.
Cobb’s most successful years were with the San Francisco Giants in 2022 and 2023, where he earned his first All-Star selection in 2023. In the two years leading up to his injuries in 2024, he maintained a 3.80 ERA over 56 starts and 301 innings, closely aligned with his career average of 3.84 ERA over 13 seasons.
Although Cobb has dealt with injuries throughout his career, signing him does carry some risk. Nevertheless, Tigers GM Scott Harris appears focused on acquiring high-upside, low-cost veteran pitchers, and this move is likely just one of several aimed at strengthening the team’s pitching lineup.
The Detroit Tigers are coming off a season that established a strong foundation for the future. They exceeded expectations with an impressive 86-76 record, earning a Wild Card spot in the postseason. Now, with Cobb joining the team, the Tigers aim to build on their success as they compete in the tough American League Central. Additionally, according to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi, there are rumors about the Tigers potentially pursuing Paul Goldschmidt to enhance their offense.
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