Neal Cotts for David Aardsma

[Mark_R]

He couldn't get out lefties last year to save his life, and they rocked him in 2004 as well. I think he might be a candidate for a starting job over a loogy.

 

And in 2005, he had a .559 OPS against with a near 4:1 K/BB ratio against lefties and failed to give up a home run.

 

His three year averages are very strong. He may have worn down last year because of overuse, but his post ASB was very out of character with what the previous 1.5 seasons had been.

[goonys evil twin]

He couldn't get out lefties last year to save his life, and they rocked him in 2004 as well. I think he might be a candidate for a starting job over a loogy.

 

Actually, he held LHH to a .318 OBA last season. The 5 HR (and 6 other EBH) in 99 AB is what killed him. That looks fluky.

 

That's not loogy material. Loogies keep LH's OBP well under .300.

 

This guy's best pitch is supposedly a changeup, and we've heard for quite a while how much trouble LH change up artists struggle against lefties (REMLINGER).

[goonys evil twin]

I'll assume that this move is just a setup move for a different trade. If Hendry deals Eyre for Westbrook, I won't care if Cotts can't get me out, since it improves the rotation.

 

If Cotts is the one who moves along with, say Jones or Izturis, I'll dance a jig on my desk.

 

If we keep all 3 or trade Ohman for Cliff Lee, I'll be unhappy.

 

I'm definitely looking for a follow-up, and I hope it involves moving Eyre. I just don't want this to thrust Cotts into a primary Loogy role, not if he's really a changeup pitcher.

[goonys evil twin]

He couldn't get out lefties last year to save his life, and they rocked him in 2004 as well. I think he might be a candidate for a starting job over a loogy.

 

And in 2005, he had a .559 OPS against with a near 4:1 K/BB ratio against lefties and failed to give up a home run.

 

His three year averages are very strong. He may have worn down last year because of overuse, but his post ASB was very out of character with what the previous 1.5 seasons had been.

 

Oh I'm well aware of his outstanding 2005. I think this really shows how unreliable relievers are year to year. My prototypical loogy might not be a guy who consistently puts up good numbers, but he consistently gets lefties out.

 

 

I really wonder if they think he can start again.

[USSoccer]

I'll assume that this move is just a setup move for a different trade. If Hendry deals Eyre for Westbrook, I won't care if Cotts can't get me out, since it improves the rotation.

 

If Cotts is the one who moves along with, say Jones or Izturis, I'll dance a jig on my desk.

 

If we keep all 3 or trade Ohman for Cliff Lee, I'll be unhappy.

 

I'm definitely looking for a follow-up, and I hope it involves moving Eyre. I just don't want this to thrust Cotts into a primary Loogy role, not if he's really a changeup pitcher.

 

But even if it does, it's not that big of a deal depending on what the follow up is. A mediocre to bad LOOGY isn't going to impact much. Piniella hopefully knows how to read a stat sheet, so maybe our pen won't be put in lousy positions like it had been the past 4 years.

[C.C.]

Rotoworld likes it:

So not only did the crosstown rivals pull of a trade, but Jim Hendry appears to have gotten the better of it? Cotts' ERA jumped from 1.94 to 5.17 last season, but he didn't lose any stuff. It'd be great if the Cubs got him with the idea of putting him in the rotation along with Carlos Zambrano and Rich Hill. If it turns out he can't handle it, he can always be shifted back to the pen later. However, the talent is there for him to be a third or fourth starter.

 

And

How unthinkable would this deal have been after Cotts posted a 1.94 ERA in 2005? We still think the White Sox are making a mistake here. Cotts was quite a disappointment last season, but he's just 26 and he has the stuff to start games. Aardsma, who had a 4.08 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP in 53 innings for the Cubs last season, is back looking like a long-term setup man. However, we'd take our chances with Cotts first.

Edited November 16, 2006 by C.C.

[goonys evil twin]

But even if it does, it's not that big of a deal depending on what the follow up is. A mediocre to bad LOOGY isn't going to impact much. Piniella hopefully knows how to read a stat sheet, so maybe our pen won't be put in lousy positions like it had been the past 4 years.

 

Well, a mediocre loogy shouldn't impact much, but if he's routinely brought in during the 6th/7th to face a tough lefty with men on in a close game, it can turn ugly.

 

If the follow-up means a much improved starting pitcher, I'm all for it.

[USSoccer]

But even if it does, it's not that big of a deal depending on what the follow up is. A mediocre to bad LOOGY isn't going to impact much. Piniella hopefully knows how to read a stat sheet, so maybe our pen won't be put in lousy positions like it had been the past 4 years.

 

Well, a mediocre loogy shouldn't impact much, but if he's routinely brought in during the 6th/7th to face a tough lefty with men on in a close game, it can turn ugly.

 

If the follow-up means a much improved starting pitcher, I'm all for it.

 

What if Cotts is the starting pitching upgrade?

[goonys evil twin]

But even if it does, it's not that big of a deal depending on what the follow up is. A mediocre to bad LOOGY isn't going to impact much. Piniella hopefully knows how to read a stat sheet, so maybe our pen won't be put in lousy positions like it had been the past 4 years.

 

Well, a mediocre loogy shouldn't impact much, but if he's routinely brought in during the 6th/7th to face a tough lefty with men on in a close game, it can turn ugly.

 

If the follow-up means a much improved starting pitcher, I'm all for it.

 

What if Cotts is the starting pitching upgrade?

 

I'd be fine with the trade itself, if they are turning him into a starter.

 

I'd be pissed with the direciton of the offseason if they are planning on him being in the starting rotation.

 

 

Does he have options?

Edited November 16, 2006 by goony's evil twin

[Bull]

But even if it does, it's not that big of a deal depending on what the follow up is. A mediocre to bad LOOGY isn't going to impact much. Piniella hopefully knows how to read a stat sheet, so maybe our pen won't be put in lousy positions like it had been the past 4 years.

 

Well, a mediocre loogy shouldn't impact much, but if he's routinely brought in during the 6th/7th to face a tough lefty with men on in a close game, it can turn ugly.

 

If the follow-up means a much improved starting pitcher, I'm all for it.

 

What if Cotts is the starting pitching upgrade?

 

Gotta have someone to take Rusch's spot

 

*ducks*

[Blueheart05]

The White Sox also receive LHP Carlos Vazquez.

 

Well at least we get a 40 man spot out of it.

 

....or maybe not. When did Vazquez get taken off the 40?

 

A couple of years ago.

I just heard on the radio that he was suspended for steroid use in 2004 so that may have been the reason why he was left unprotected.

[RynoRules]

Scott Eyre we hardly knew ya'. But if you are being traded to Clev for Westbrook, I'll help you pack your bags.

[Twiggy]

I like the move, Cotts has good stuff, just fell apart the 2nd half of last season. Now the question that everyone is asking, is this deal done, or is it just a part of a future deal with Eyre or Ohman? I hope one of them does get moved with Jones for Westbrook and then sign Drew or Soriano. We can all hope :)

[ChiCubsFan]

This is a good trade. If we did this trade after the 05 season, everyone would be laughing at how we ripped the White Sox off. Cotts had a good first half, but lost it in the 2nd half. I'm not really sure why. I know a lot of Sox fans were hard on him, kind of like their LaTroy Hawkins. Maybe that affected his confidence or something. Either way, I expect that he will either be given a chance to start or Ohman/Eyre is on their way out for a pitcher like Jake Westbrook. Edited November 16, 2006 by ChiCubsFan

[Balsa]

This is a good trade. If we did this trade after the 05 season, everyone would be laughing at how we ripped the White Sox off. Cotts had a good first half, but lost it in the 2nd half. I'm not really sure why. I know a lot of Sox fans were hard on him, kind of like their LaTroy Hawkins. Maybe that affected his confidence or something. Either way, I expect that he will either be given a chance to start or Ohman/Eyre is on their way out for a pitching like Jake Westbrook.

Honestly, it sounds like he was a bit overworked.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

The White Sox also receive LHP Carlos Vazquez.

 

Well at least we get a 40 man spot out of it.

 

....or maybe not. When did Vazquez get taken off the 40?

 

A couple of years ago.

I just heard on the radio that he was suspended for steroid use in 2004 so that may have been the reason why he was left unprotected.

 

Actually, he was left off the 40-man before the steroid suspension (but the two happened within 6 months of each other).

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

I've always liked Cotts...wonder if endry will give Fatass a chance to start again?

 

Aardsma lost his breaking ball at some point in his MiLB career, and he's never had great control.

 

I like this move by Fatass actually.

 

Cotts is actually the same age (or younger?) than Rich Hill. He's got similar stuff, and he was once a starter. Think the Cubs would try him again there? He never had great control as a starter, but he's a young strikeout lefty with good stuff....which probably means he's best suited for the pen where he was.

 

Anyways...Jones + Eyre for Westbrook please...

[Andy]

I've always liked Cotts...wonder if Fatass will give Cotts a chance to start again?

 

Aardsma lost his breaking ball at some point in his MiLB career, and he's never had great control.

 

I like this move by Fatass actually.

 

Cotts is actually the same age (or younger?) than Rich Hill. He's got similar stuff, and he was once a starter. Think the Cubs would try him again there? He never had great control as a starter, but he's a young strikeout lefty with good stuff....which probably means he's best suited for the pen where he was.

 

Anyways...Jones + Eyre for Westbrook please...

I'm not a psychic, but I doubt the mods approve of board members calling Hendry or anyone else "Fatass".

[USSoccer]

 

 

Does he have options?

 

I'd be suprised. He's been around for a few years despite his age, I think.

[C.C.]

This is a good trade. If we did this trade after the 05 season, everyone would be laughing at how we ripped the White Sox off. Cotts had a good first half, but lost it in the 2nd half. I'm not really sure why. I know a lot of Sox fans were hard on him, kind of like their LaTroy Hawkins. Maybe that affected his confidence or something. Either way, I expect that he will either be given a chance to start or Ohman/Eyre is on their way out for a pitcher like Jake Westbrook.

 

In the second half he really had a bad August and Sept. He pitched 10 innings in that stretch and had a era of around 17! Which pretty much killed his season.

[killthegoat06]

When do the GM meetings end? Is it today or tomorrow?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

By the way, Carlos Vasquez was eligible for the Rule 5 draft and would still be eligible with the White Sox.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I've always liked Cotts...wonder if Fatass will give Cotts a chance to start again?

 

Aardsma lost his breaking ball at some point in his MiLB career, and he's never had great control.

 

I like this move by Fatass actually.

 

Cotts is actually the same age (or younger?) than Rich Hill. He's got similar stuff, and he was once a starter. Think the Cubs would try him again there? He never had great control as a starter, but he's a young strikeout lefty with good stuff....which probably means he's best suited for the pen where he was.

 

Anyways...Jones + Eyre for Westbrook please...

I'm not a psychic, but I doubt the mods approve of board members calling Hendry or anyone else "Fatass".

 

Plus you refer to 2 different people as Fatass in the same post. Quite confusing. It's like having 2 brothers named Darryl.

[snoodmonger]

I've always liked Cotts...wonder if Fatass will give Cotts a chance to start again?

 

Aardsma lost his breaking ball at some point in his MiLB career, and he's never had great control.

 

I like this move by Fatass actually.

 

Cotts is actually the same age (or younger?) than Rich Hill. He's got similar stuff, and he was once a starter. Think the Cubs would try him again there? He never had great control as a starter, but he's a young strikeout lefty with good stuff....which probably means he's best suited for the pen where he was.

 

Anyways...Jones + Eyre for Westbrook please...

I'm not a psychic, but I doubt the mods approve of board members calling Hendry or anyone else "Fatass".

 

Plus you refer to 2 different people as Fatass in the same post. Quite confusing. It's like having 2 brothers named Darryl.

is that a newheart reference?

[goonys evil twin]

 

 

Does he have options?

 

I'd be suprised. He's been around for a few years despite his age, I think.

 

He went from the minors to the majors, and didn't appear to ever be optioned back to the minors. I thought options were only used up after making the 40-man roster and then being sent back down. I know certain veterans can refuse to be sent back to the minors, but is that only for guys with free agent status?