The Orioles are working on a trade to send right-handed pitcher Alex Cobb to the Los Angeles Angels, according to a report in The Athletic.

Cobb is entering the fourth year of a $57 million contract that includes a substantial amount of deferred money. The Orioles would presumably have to pay some of the 33-year-old right-hander’s salary.

Signed as a free agent in March 2018, Cobb has a 7-22 record with a 5.10 ERA in 41 starts over the past three seasons. He has not recorded a win at home since joining the Orioles.

Cobb was limited to three starts in 2019 because of hip and knee surgery. Last season, he was 2-5 with a 4.30 ERA in 10 starts.

If the trade to the Angels is completed, it would be the third executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias has done with them since December 2019.

The Orioles traded another starter, Dylan Bundy, to Los Angeles in December 2019. They received four young right-handed pitchers in return. On December 2, 2020, they sent shortstop José Iglesias to the Angels for two minor league right-handers, Jean Pinto and Garrett Stallings.

Without Cobb, the Orioles would be left with hole in their starting rotation. Cobb, John Means and rookies Keegan Akin and Dean Kremer were thought to comprise fourth-fifths of the starting rotation.

Elias has said he would be seeking additional starting pitching. Last year, after the Orioles traded Bundy, they signed two veteran left-handers, Wade LeBlanc and Tommy Milone, to minor league contracts and both began the season with the Orioles.

According to The Athletic, the Orioles will be receiving 23-year-old second baseman Jahmai Jones from the Angels in the deal.

Jones, who was Los Angeles’ second-round pick in 2015, was 3-for-7 (.429) with two RBIs in three games with the Angels in 2020.

In the minor leagues, Jones also played center field, and has significant experience in left field.

If the Orioles trade Cobb, the only remaining contract with significant money remaining would be first baseman Chris Davis’. He is entering the sixth year of a seven-year, $161 million deal.