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Analysis: Alex Cobb's opening day start puts him atop Rays' hill (w/video)

 
The Rays today named Alex Cobb their opening day starting pitcher.  [WILL VRAGOVIC  |  Times]
The Rays today named Alex Cobb their opening day starting pitcher. [WILL VRAGOVIC | Times]
Published March 5, 2015

PORT CHARLOTTE

Naming Alex Cobb the opening day starter, as the Rays did Wednesday, was an obvious decision, the only surprise being that it came this early in the spring, though that's for good reason, too.

Cobb is the Rays' best starter. He is the oldest at 27 and has the most experience and time in the majors. He is best positioned, emotionally and intellectually, to assume the legacy of leadership from David Price and James Shields and is the most respected by others in the clubhouse and on the staff to do so.

As a manager, especially a new manager, should, Kevin Cash made sure to be inclusive in mentioning Chris Archer and even Drew Smyly in his deliberations. As a team-player should, Cobb made sure to acknowledge how talented the other starters are and that a worthy case could have been made for Archer.

But there really wasn't any other decision. And that Cobb still was so openly thrilled when Cash told him showed that he grasped the significance.

"He was extremely excited," Cash said. "I kind of expected him to say, 'Yeah, okay, whatever.' But he was pumped. And you look back and you're like, 'Man, he's had some good pitchers here that maybe he's had to wait in turn for Shields and Price and those guys.' I think he looks at it as being an honor, because there have been some good ones here in the past that have done it."

Actually, Cobb said, it's more than an honor, more than a ceremonial assignment and — though odds are good he'll say differently leading up to the April 6 game vs. Baltimore at the Trop — more than just another game.

"I definitely think taking the ball on opening day comes with a lot of responsibilities, whether you want to embrace that or not," Cobb said. "There's going to be a lot of eyes looking at you and judging you, how you go about your business. Younger guys will all want to be in that position to have the ball on opening day, so they're going to watch how you go about your business and try to replicate that.

"Whether you want that tag on you or not, it's there. The best thing to do is embrace it and carry it, take all the responsibilities that go along with it."

Does that not sound like a leader? Certainly it does. Confident, conscientious, poised, aware of his surroundings, focused on team success.

Cobb has been through enough — including the death of his mother, surgery to remove a rib, the scare of a line drive off his head — to have the proper perspective and maturity.

He is also a fierce competitor, fiery enough that former manager Joe Maddon used to say the right-hander had the attitude of a redhead, even though his hair is more blond.

And yet compassionate enough to stage the romantic dolphin-delivered proposal to girlfriend Kelly Reynolds, and to pull his truck over the other day and save a stray dog that was running in traffic.

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Frankly, Cobb is the kind of guy the Rays should want to keep around. And with two seasons after this one until free agency, and at a salary of $4 million this year, it would serve them well to further explore a long-term deal before the cost further rises and the window closes.

Cobb does have some proving to do, too, primarily to stay on the mound for a full season, having not yet made more than 27 starts or pitched more than 166⅓ innings. Doing so might be all that is keeping him from being considered one of the top starters in the game.

For now, he is the clear leader of the Rays staff, followed in the rotation by Archer, Smyly and Jake Odorizzi, with the fifth spot still to be determined.

Archer had some thoughts he might get the nod but was quick to say he didn't see why it was a big deal anyway since they all pitch every five days. "I thought about it, and if there was a case to be made, I had a case," he said. "But I'm not selfish enough to let it upset me."

Given that Cash knew what he wanted to do, he was right in announcing it now, part of his program to talk with as many players as he can each day and keep them all as well informed of the plans as possible, which has been welcomed. "As least questions as possible," Cash said. "I think it's a lot better when guys can have an idea what they're doing, preparation and then playing, stuff like that."

For Cobb, that's one less big question.

"I'd be lying," he said, "if I didn't say I was excited."

Contact Marc Topkin at mtopkin@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Rays.