Guardians may have dodged a bullet in letting former pitcher sign with division rival

It is a pretty safe assumption that there is a rather large contingent of people displeased with the offseason activity of the Cleveland Guardians. However, it appears that one decision the Guardians made could turn out to be the right one.

Veteran starting pitcher Alex Cobb agreed to terms on a one-year $15 million deal with the Detroit Tigers earlier this winter. Seeing someone who could have been useful in Cleveland's rotation sign with a division rival was discouraging at the time, but as it turns out, the Guardians' aversion to risk here may have paid off.

The Tigers announced that Cobb is dealing with hip inflammation currently and will miss the start of the 2025 regular season. This is the second straight season that Cobb is dealing with a hip issue of some type. Cobb underwent surgery on his left hip before the 2024 season, resulting in missing most of the year. Cleveland would go on to acquire his services from the San Francisco Giants before even throwing a major league pitch last season.

Cobb would only make three starts for the Guardians in 2024 as a result of injuries to his hand, back, and fingernail. His final appearance for Cleveland came in a 4-1 loss to the New York Yankees in the ALCS, allowing three runs on five hits in 2.2 innings. Cobb was forced to exit the game due to a back strain and was subsequently removed from Cleveland's postseason roster.

With Cobb sustaining another lower-body injury, it is fair to wonder just how much of a contributor he will be in Detroit. While it is not the same hip that he had surgery on previously, a 37-year-old pitcher having another issue before the season begins after last season's injury-riddled campaign is far from encouraging.

Cobb has pitched 13 years in the majors for the Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, Giants, and Guardians, owning a career 3.84 ERA and 1.273 WHIP in 233 games.