The signing of Alex Cobb, now, is an interesting blurb in history to gloss over two and a half years later.
Following a Wild Card appearance the year before, the 2017 Orioles moseyed on to a 75-87 record. The magic of the Buck Showalter era was closer to its conclusion than Orioles fans probably realized, as years of piecemeal rosters finally began to catch up to the winningest American League club of the previous five seasons.
Former general manager/executive vice president Dan Duquette was delusional enough to believe the 2018 Orioles had a chance to revive the magic of recent memory, ergo, the club signed Cobb to an impressive four-year, $57 million deal.