Report: Cubs balking at Cobb's $20M salary demand
The Chicago Cubs' interest in Alex Cobb is waning as the free-agent starter has reportedly set his asking price around $20 million per year, according to sources of The Chicago Sun-Time's Gordon Wittenmyer.
While Cobb's demand seems to be high on an annual basis, the desired term was not reported.
The Cubs have been tied to Cobb since the beginning of the offseason, with the club expected to make a "strong push" for the 30-year-old right-hander just before the winter meetings got under way.
Related: Free agent Cobb would be 'honored' to sign with Cubs
Cobb began his offseason by rejecting a $17.4-million qualifying offer from the Tampa Bay Rays. Coming back from Tommy John surgery in 2017, Cobb threw a career-high 179 1/3 innings, posting a 3.66 ERA and 4.16 FIP.
More recently, the New York Yankees have shown interest in adding Cobb to their rotation after shedding Chase Headley's salary.
While a deal would see Cobb reunite with former manager Joe Maddon and pitching coach Jim Hickey, Chicago may recuse itself from the running after spending money on relievers Steve Cishek and Brandon Morrow as well as starting pitcher Drew Smyly, who is unlikely to factor into the 2018 roster.
As it stands, the Cubs' rotation would consist of Jon Lester, Jose Quintana, Kyle Hendricks, and the recently signed Tyler Chatwood, with Mike Montgomery or Eddie Butler filling the final spot.
While relievers and position players have gone off the board, the free-agent starting-pitching market has been slower to materialize, as Chatwood's three-year, $38-million deal with the Cubs represents the lone large investment thus far.