Alex Cobb still deciding on Rays qualifying offer

RHP Alex Cobb still seems likely by the Thursday deadline to decline the one-year, $17.4-million qualifying offer the Rays made and pursue a longer and more lucrative deal elsewhere in free agency.

On Monday, there was a national report by Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports on Monday saying Cobb – as well as the eight other major-leaguers who got such offers – would decline the offer.

But Cobb said Monday afternoon that was not the case, that "I have not decided yet." And Rays officials attending the GM meetings in Orlando said they had not heard anything.

That doesn't mean Cobb is going to accept the offer, which would create complications as the Rays seek to cut payroll, just that he and his agents wisely are going to wait until the Thursday deadline.

The Rays are hoping he declines so they get draft pick compensation when he signs elsewhere.