Report: Orioles interested in Cobb

In an attempt to address what has been the team's Achilles Heel in recent years, the Baltimore Orioles may be looking to sign free agent right-hander Alex Cobb.

The Orioles are reportedly interested in signing the 30-year-old, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

In a relatively weak free-agent class, Cobb is expected to receive plenty of interest among suitors. He missed all of 2015 and most of 2016 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but rebounded nicely in 2017, starting 29 games for the Tampa Bay Rays with a 12-10 record and 3.66 ERA.

Before his injury, Cobb was well on his way to becoming one of baseball's top young arms. From 2013-2014, Cobb went 21-12 with a 2.82 ERA and 283 strikeouts over 309 2/3 innings in 49 starts.

As a team, the Orioles had a 4.97 ERA, fourth-worst in the majors, so it's no surprise that starting pitching is at the top of their wishlist this offseason. If the signing were to happen, he'd become part of a formidable trio atop the Orioles' rotation, alongside fellow righties Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman.