Report: Yankees have interest in Cobb after clearing salary
They've cleared out some more room under the luxury tax threshold, and now the New York Yankees appear ready to spend again.
Following Monday's reported trade of Chase Headley and his $13-million salary, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reported that the Yankees have interest in free-agent right-hander Alex Cobb.
The 30-year-old Cobb would be a good fit to fill the current hole in the Yankees' rotation given his track record of success while pitching in the tough AL East for the rival Tampa Bay Rays. He also enjoys pitching at Yankee Stadium; over five career starts in the Bronx, Cobb owns a career 3.12 ERA and 0.865 WHIP to go along with a meager .192 opponents' batting average.
It's not clear if the Yankees have spoken to Cobb's camp yet, but the idea of him in pinstripes is not a new one. Back in November, it was reported that the "industry consensus" had the Cobb sweepstakes coming down to either the Yankees or Chicago Cubs.
Chicago - whose manager Joe Maddon and pitching coach Jim Hickey both spent years working with Cobb in Tampa Bay - is reportedly making a "strong push" to try and sign Cobb in the next few days.
Related: Free agent Cobb would be 'honored' to sign with Cubs
The Texas Rangers have also been linked with Cobb.