Reports surfaced earlier today that the Rays have been in talks with the Cubs about a trade for young slugger Javier Baez. As for a possible return package for Chicago, most of the speculation has centered around late-inning relievers Jake McGee and Brad Boxberger and starters Drew Smyly, Matt Moore, Jake Odorizzi, and Erasmo Ramirez. However, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times hears that an interesting name has come up in talks:
Curious twist in #Rays talks for Javier Baez - starter of interest to #Cubs may be Alex Cobb, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) December 8, 2015
Cobb wouldn’t be able to help the Cubs right away. The 28-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery in May and will likely be sidelined until the second half next year. There’s big-time upside if he comes back healthy, though. Cobb had a 2.82 ERA in 49 starts from 2013-2014.
Cobb made $4 million in 2015 and is arbitration-eligible for the second time this winter. He’s under team control through 2017.
