The Alex Cobb Thread

[Derwood]

Am I the only one here that is pretty "meh" on Montgomery starting?

[CyHawk_Cub]

Given the current staff, yeah, I'm pretty "meh" on anyone starting aside from the Q/Hendricks/Lester group. Signing Cobb won't assuage that for me either. Not a huge fan, especially at a > 3 year commitment.

[Sammy Sofa]

I'm worryingly "meh" on what Lester is going to be going forward, too, so I'd much rather have me some Darvish if Cobb is going to cost a lot.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Am I the only one here that is pretty "meh" on Montgomery starting?

 

Meh on Montgomery starting any games at all? That seems harsh considering he was above average as a starter last year. Meh on Montgomery having a guaranteed rotation spot? Everyone seems to agree that the front office isn't going to allow that regardless. You aren't going to do better than Montgomery as a swingman.

[Derwood]

Am I the only one here that is pretty "meh" on Montgomery starting?

 

Meh on Montgomery starting any games at all? That seems harsh considering he was above average as a starter last year. Meh on Montgomery having a guaranteed rotation spot? Everyone seems to agree that the front office isn't going to allow that regardless. You aren't going to do better than Montgomery as a swingman.

 

He just seems more effective as a reliever, and the times he starts, you're crossing your fingers you get five innings out of him. I think he's fine in a pinch, but not a guy I would plan around. His numbers fell precipitously the second time through the order last year (.188/.232./.256 first time through, .283/.389/.424 second time through)

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Am I the only one here that is pretty "meh" on Montgomery starting?

 

Meh on Montgomery starting any games at all? That seems harsh considering he was above average as a starter last year. Meh on Montgomery having a guaranteed rotation spot? Everyone seems to agree that the front office isn't going to allow that regardless. You aren't going to do better than Montgomery as a swingman.

 

He just seems more effective as a reliever, and the times he starts, you're crossing your fingers you get five innings out of him. I think he's fine in a pinch, but not a guy I would plan around. His numbers fell precipitously the second time through the order last year (.188/.232./.256 first time through, .283/.389/.424 second time through)

 

Montgomery started 14 games last year, a couple were on short rest. 7 of those starts went at least 6 innings. Considering the handicap Montgomery had in those couple short rest starts, the ratio of deep starts is about the same as Lester's.

 

But again, I can't really understand the point you're making. Everything you're writing comes across like "I don't think Montgomery should have a rotation spot guys", but that's not something anyone is advocating for and obviously not something the front office is doing. If you literally think he shouldn't be starting at all, then it's gonna be on you to find a 6th starter option that is not only superior to Montgomery, but is available to be acquired, and is optionable or a good reliever as well. This person probably does not exist.

[Tim]

 

Meh on Montgomery starting any games at all? That seems harsh considering he was above average as a starter last year. Meh on Montgomery having a guaranteed rotation spot? Everyone seems to agree that the front office isn't going to allow that regardless. You aren't going to do better than Montgomery as a swingman.

 

He just seems more effective as a reliever, and the times he starts, you're crossing your fingers you get five innings out of him. I think he's fine in a pinch, but not a guy I would plan around. His numbers fell precipitously the second time through the order last year (.188/.232./.256 first time through, .283/.389/.424 second time through)

 

Montgomery started 14 games last year, a couple were on short rest. 7 of those starts went at least 6 innings. Considering the handicap Montgomery had in those couple short rest starts, the ratio of deep starts is about the same as Lester's.

 

But again, I can't really understand the point you're making. Everything you're writing comes across like "I don't think Montgomery should have a rotation spot guys", but that's not something anyone is advocating for and obviously not something the front office is doing. If you literally think he shouldn't be starting at all, then it's gonna be on you to find a 6th starter option that is not only superior to Montgomery, but is available to be acquired, and is optionable or a good reliever as well. This person probably does not exist.

Maybe he's a Tseng fan.

[Post Count Padder]

I really like Montgomery but I also think it's wise to have him in the same role. He's been valuable there and it's nice to have a decent option for spot starts if someone goes down with injury.

 

With the winter meetings opening today, I'm expecting the Cobb situation to be sorted out sooner rather than later.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

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[davell]

I know it sounds spoiled, but the closer this gets, the more I'm hoping for a trade instead. A rotation that includes Lester/Hendricks/Quintana/Cobb/Chatwood is damn solid. But, I still kind of want more.

[Cubswin11]

I know it sounds spoiled, but the closer this gets, the more I'm hoping for a trade instead. A rotation that includes Lester/Hendricks/Quintana/Cobb/Chatwood is damn solid. But, I still kind of want more.

I’d rather have Cobb than trade anyone (Cobb + all the position players > acquired SP - any traded player(s)) I’m kinda wanting Darvish and not Cobb in my spoiled wantings at the moment.

[UMFan83]

If we sign Cobb does this pretty much lock us into a Lester, Hendricks, Quintana, Cobb, Chatwood rotation for the next 3 years?

[Tim]

If we sign Cobb does this pretty much lock us into a Lester, Hendricks, Quintana, Cobb, Chatwood rotation for the next 3 years?

Well, someone will get hurt / not produce and have to be replaced. But it locks them into paying those guys for at least three years, yes.

[Cubswin11]

If we sign Cobb does this pretty much lock us into a Lester, Hendricks, Quintana, Cobb, Chatwood rotation for the next 3 years?

Yeah but you never know with injuries, if we finally develop someone, trade one of those guys off going in to their last year (probably more Hendricks or Q than anyone) or even maybe look to shift Lester to a closer/bullpen role towards the latter years of his deal. That’s a solid horsefeathering rotation though and I’d take it all day.

[Cubswin11]

Man, everyone seems to think Cobb next is almost a formality. Maybe it is but I also wonder if Theo/FO are using it as a smokescreen for some other move for a SP (Darvish, Archer, something else?) seems odd how everyone just thinks Cobb next is likely.

[Post Count Padder]

Man, everyone seems to think Cobb next is almost a formality. Maybe it is but I also wonder if Theo/FO are using it as a smokescreen for some other move for a SP (Darvish, Archer, something else?) seems odd how everyone just thinks Cobb next is likely.

I mean, it is the Winter Meetings. And we need another starter. And there's history with Cobb and the coaches. And Cobb has said he would like to play for the Cubs. It seems way more likely than not, but hey anything can happen.

[Tim]

Man, everyone seems to think Cobb next is almost a formality. Maybe it is but I also wonder if Theo/FO are using it as a smokescreen for some other move for a SP (Darvish, Archer, something else?) seems odd how everyone just thinks Cobb next is likely.

I expect that they are pursuing multiple paths simultaneously. Whichever one pops first at a price they like wins.

[Cubswin11]

Joel Sherman was just on MLBN and said Cobb was in Chicago last week to meet with us, haven’t heard or seen that anywhere.

[Bryants Disco Ball]

Man, everyone seems to think Cobb next is almost a formality. Maybe it is but I also wonder if Theo/FO are using it as a smokescreen for some other move for a SP (Darvish, Archer, something else?) seems odd how everyone just thinks Cobb next is likely.

I expect that they are pursuing multiple paths simultaneously. Whichever one pops first at a price they like wins.

 

Agreed, although I don't think Darvish is on any of their paths. Cobb or trade.

[Bertz]

Joel Sherman was just on MLBN and said Cobb was in Chicago last week to meet with us, haven’t heard or seen that anywhere.

 

Speaking of Sherman, he had this to say in an article earlier this evening

 

Perhaps the strongest expectation entering the process is that free-agent starter Alex Cobb will reunite with his former Rays manager, Joe Maddon, and pitching coach, Jim Hickey, as a Cub. Multiple executives and agents stated it as all but fact, with one official saying, “I would be shocked if he didn’t go there.”

[davell]

Its Gordo, but he says in his latest article that Cobb's asking price is "about 20 mill per" and that he's heard the Cubs have cooled on him.

[UMFan83]

Its Gordo, but he says in his latest article that Cobb's asking price is "about 20 mill per" and that he's heard the Cubs have cooled on him.

 

Would explain why we hear rumblings of the Cubs active in the trade market for a starter

 

Maybe the Cubs should just get like 3 potential starters on the cheap, start Monty as a 5th starter and have options if he fails. Of course we might finish in 3rd place if we do that.

Edited December 14, 2017 by UMFan83

[Cubswin11]

Its Gordo, but he says in his latest article that Cobb's asking price is "about 20 mill per" and that he's heard the Cubs have cooled on him.

 

Would explain why we hear rumblings of the Cubs active in the trade market for a starter

For sure $20 aav +/- for him seems too high unless it’s only a 2 year deal guaranteed (I wonder if we could get him on Lackey’s deal +$5-6 mil?) but I’m guessing he wants it for 3-4 years.

[Bertz]

Its Gordo, but he says in his latest article that Cobb's asking price is "about 20 mill per" and that he's heard the Cubs have cooled on him.

 

Sharma's latest for the Athletic backs this up, says he's looking for 4/80.

[Thusly Boned]

If Cobb is going to demand 20MM per, he can kick rocks. I'd rather see if Darvish could be had for ~5/125, or deal for a risk/upside guy like Salazar.