Outside of the Bronx (Giancarlo Stanton trade, Gerrit Cole trade rumors) and Philadelphia (Tommy Hunter, Pat Neshek and Carlos Santana deals) baseball's hot stove has been, well, anything but hot over the last two months.
Eventually, that has to change. With a glut of high-profile and potentially impact free agents available, teams could soon get bargain prices on really good players.
As the Phillies attempt to jump from rebuilding to competing again soon, supply and demand could work to help repair a pitching rotation that's suspect behind ace Aaron Nola. One of the arms that could make sense for the Phillies: Right-hander Alex Cobb.
In fact, ESPN connected Cobb to the Phillies when guessing where each of the top free agents would eventually sign before spring training begins next month. While the prediction didn't come with anything close to a guarantee, the fact that the Phillies are mentioned for another top free agent is interesting on its own.
Best bet: Phillies
Don't take that best bet too seriously: Cobb could land in a dozen places. The Carlos Santana signing and immense flexibility in payroll, however, mean the Phillies could emerge as Cobb's top suitor as they continue to build for 2019 and beyond. If the Cubs consider Darvish's price too steep or if he signs elsewhere, Cobb provides an alternative plan at about half the price.
Cobb, 30, has spent his entire career in the AL East with the rival Rays. Since debuting in 2011, Cobb owns a 3.50 ERA, 3.68 FIP and 111 ERA+. That work has come across 700 career innings and 115 starts. The veteran missed all of 2015 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
If the Phillies landed Cobb and swapped, say, an outfielder like Nick Williams or Aaron Altherr and Cesar Hernandez for a young, controllable starter, the picture of a good rotation could begin to form at Citizens Bank Park for the first time in years.
Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.