SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) – Free agent pitcher Alex Cobb and the Baltimore Orioles have finalized a four-year contract.
Cobb was the last big-name starting pitcher still available in a slow-moving free agent market. He joins Andrew Cashner and Chris Tillman, who were signed last month, in a revamped rotation that includes holdovers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman.
The 30-year-old righty was 12-10 with a 3.66 ERA in 29 starts for Tampa Bay last season. He pitched 179 1/3 innings in his first full year back after missing nearly two seasons because of Tommy John surgery.
Cobb is 48-35 with a 3.50 in six big league seasons, all with the Rays. He turned down Tampa Bay’s $17.4 million qualifying offer in November.
Baltimore will lose its third-highest draft pick, currently No. 51, and the Rays get an extra selection after the first round as compensation.
Jose Mesa Jr. was designated for assignment Wednesday to clear a roster spot.
Baltimore opens on March 29 at home against Minnesota.
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