DALLAS — The Detroit Tigers officially announced the signing of veteran right-handed pitcher Alex Cobb on Tuesday.
The one-year deal is worth a guaranteed $15 million. Cobb can earn up to $2 million in incentives.
In a corresponding move, the Tigers designated outfielder Akil Baddoo for assignment.
Cobb, 37, battled injuries in 2024 and pitched just 16 innings during the regular season for the Cleveland Guardians.
Originally drafted out of high school by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2006, Cobb debuted in the majors in 2011 and became a reliable starter over six seasons in Tampa Bay. He later pitched for the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, and San Francisco Giants.
Cobb’s time in San Francisco overlapped with Scott Harris, now the Tigers’ president of baseball operations. Cobb enjoyed two strong seasons with the Giants, posting a 3.80 ERA across 56 starts and earning a spot in the 2023 All-Star Game.
“One of the things that impresses me about Alex is how he competes on the mound,” Harris said. “He never gives in to hitters. He always has a plan for them. He has thrived, especially in recent years, because of his command. We think there’s another gear for his stuff that we’re going to work with, this offseason and into spring training.
“He really moves the ball around the zone and keeps the ball out of the middle of the zone. I think some of our young starters who have really good stuff can learn from the way he commands the baseball and the way he keeps hitters off balance. We think that’s going to be a good influence on those guys.”
Baddoo, 26, was acquired by the Tigers in the Rule 5 Draft and had an electric rookie campaign in 2021 before enduring a frustrating sophomore slump in 2022 and bounced between Detroit and Triple-A Toledo in 2023 and 2024.
Baddoo must be placed on waivers or traded. If he goes unclaimed, the Tigers can keep him in the organization by outrighting him to Toledo.
“I told Akil when I talked to him that I’d like to find a way to keep him in the organization, but that I understand that he may find a roster spot in another organization,” Harris said. “(DFA’ing him) is not a criticism, it’s more of an acknowledgment that our 40-man is more talented than it has been in recent years. And we still get 40 spots no matter what. It’s a numbers game more than anything.”
TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (40)
Left-handed pitchers (5): Sean Guenther, Tyler Holton, Bailey Horn, Brant Hurter, Tarik Skubal.
Right-handed pitchers (19): Beau Brieske, Alex Cobb, Mason Englert, Alex Faedo, Jason Foley, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Brenan Hanifee, Jackson Jobe, Alex Lange, Chase Lee, Ty Madden, Kenta Maeda, Matt Manning, Tyler Mattison, Casey Mize, Keider Montero, Reese Olson, Tyler Owens, Will Vest.
Catchers (2): Dillon Dingler, Jake Rogers.
Infielders (8): Javier Baez, Jace Jung, Andy Ibañez, Colt Keith, Ryan Kreidler, Zach McKinstry, Trey Sweeney, Spencer Torkelson.
Outfielders (6): Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, Justyn-Henry Malloy, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Perez, Matt Vierling.
