Schmuck: Cobb's expected signing is latest twist that turns Orioles rotation into solid unit

Here’s a short list of things that seemed inconceivable just a few days ago: UMBC defeating No. 1 Virginia in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and the Orioles arriving at Opening Day with a solid top-to-bottom starting rotation.

The Orioles have reportedly agreed to terms with free-agent starting pitcher Alex Cobb on a rich, four-year deal that now gives them a legitimate major league starting pitcher in each of the five slots of a rotation that last year was one of the worst in baseball.

How many teams can say that?

Cobb, who was 12-10 with a 3.66 ERA with the Tampa Bay Rays last year, was one of the top four starting pitchers on the market, and he was the last man standing after Yu…