To explain how Jahmai Jones got into the Orioles system, starting pitcher Alex Cobb has to be mentioned as well. The former Tampa Bay Ray signed a four-year, $57 million contract with the O’s in March of 2018 but never lived up to expectations, registering a 5.10 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over the course of 41 games started.
This past offseason, Cobb seemed destined to fill the veteran innings-eater role in the Orioles rotation on account of having very little trade value. That’s what made it surprising when only a few months ago, the Angels gave up a minor league player the caliber of Jahmai Jones in exchange for Cobb.