With the hours ticking until the MLB trade deadline, the Detroit Tigers are focused on making their final push toward the postseason. Detroit has already made one addition, acquiring pitchers Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak from the Minnesota Twins and could make more moves to support the Tigers’ attempt to make a deep run into October.
For young players, the playoff push is an exciting time. For veterans, it could be the last chance to chase down an elusive World Series ring.
The latter is the scenario for one Tigers pitcher who is trying to make his debut with the team. While he hasn’t pitched an inning this season, he knows that the end of his career is near which is why he’s making the push to join the squad for the push toward the postseason.
Tigers Pitcher Alex Cobb Trying to End Career on His Terms
Alex Cobb signed a one-year $15 million contract with the Tigers this offseason but he has yet to pitch in a game. The 37-year-old has made several attempts to rejoin the team and is experiencing pain in both hips. Yet, he also revealed why he hasn’t hung up the cleats and wants to join Detroit in the final months of the regular season and a potential playoff run.
“I’ve never been on a team with this type of potential,” Cobb said via MLive’s Evan Woodbury. “I’ve never been on a first-place team at the trade deadline, eight or nine games up. We have a real chance to do something really special. If we were the last team standing, and we got a nice little trophy and a ring, I’d want to stare at that ring and feel like I did everything I could to contribute – even if it’s just a little bit."
The year hasn’t gone well as Cobb has had an on-again, off-again rehab process and received injections in his left hip after the All-Star Break. While he admitted that there will be pain every time he pitches, he remains adamant on finishing his career on his own terms, as it appears to be the final season of his career.
“As the diagnosis came in and the pain set in, and you realize the challenges in front of you, you start to realize where you’re at in your career, and the possibility of things being over,” Cobb said. “It hits you pretty hard and gives you motivation to want to have that feeling again of just competing amongst the best. Once you’re done, you’re done. Your childhood dream is over.”
Cobb’s current dream is helping the Tigers make a long postseason run and Detroit will have to keep playing as they have to give him that opportunity.