Neal Cotts for David Aardsma

[fromthestretch]

Aardsma hasn't shown he'll be able to succeed at all, ever.

 

Except for in the second half of 2006, when he posted a 3.12 ERA and struck out 35 in 34.2 innings, while holding opponents to a .198/.277/.347 line.

 

I'm not saying that I oppose the trade, but Aardsma certainly showed that he can be a successful reliever.

 

I'm not saying Aardsma will never succeed, just that he hasn't proven it for anything that would be considered a decent period of time.

 

One half of a season, on a team that was out of contention, doesn't qualify as proof IMO, that's all. Cotts did it for a whole year on a WS Champion. A bit different, wouldn't you agree?

 

I wish Aardvark all the best. I hope he does well, and he certainly might.

 

I'm not comparing Aardsma to Cotts. You said Aardsma hasn't shown that he'll be able to succeed at all. His performance this year shows that he certainly can succeed. Regardless of whether or not the Cubs were in contention, Aardsma still had pressure to prove he could get the job done and pitch at the major league level, and he did just that.

 

I'm not saying it's a bad trade. Cotts gives the Cubs four potential left-handers out of the pen (Eyre, Ohman, and Rapada being the other three). That gives them some flexibility to trade one of them for something of value, and if they're able to use that to their advantage, I'm certainly not going to badmouth this deal.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Eyre would have value as a trading chip. He has two years and a little under 8 million left on his deal.

 

Jamie Walker is about to sign a 3/12 deal with Baltimore.

 

One thing that will complicate moving Eyre is he can block a trade to ten teams. I'm not sure which teams are on that list. He had full no-trade protection for 2006 with limited protection these next two seasons.

[USSoccer]

One thing that will complicate moving Eyre is he can block a trade to ten teams. I'm not sure which teams are on that list. He had full no-trade protection for 2006 with limited protection these next two seasons.

 

Why oh why was a LH setup guy given any sort of NTC?? :x

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

One thing that will complicate moving Eyre is he can block a trade to ten teams. I'm not sure which teams are on that list. He had full no-trade protection for 2006 with limited protection these next two seasons.

 

Why oh why was a LH setup guy given any sort of NTC?? :x

 

They were on special that week.

[Post Count Padder]

Don't know if this was posted yet, but this is from Rotoworld:

 

Neal Cotts-R-Cubs Nov. 16 - 4:53 pm et

 

 

Cubs GM Jim Hendry hasn't decided on a role for the newly acquired Neal Cotts, but he said adding him to the rotation is being considered.

 

"We felt it was a good gamble," Hendry said of today's trade. "[Cotts] could be outstanding for us in the 'pen, or maybe we'll give him a shot in the rotation." This being the Cubs, our guess is that Cotts does join the pen, making Will Ohman available in trade talks. However, it's at least nice to see that Hendry is open to the possibility of starting the left-hander.

Source: Cubs.mlb.com

[Outshined_One]

Eh, I'm ambivalent towards this trade. The Cubs didn't give up much and they didn't get much.

 

*Shrugs*

[Soul]

Aardsma hasn't shown he'll be able to succeed at all, ever.

 

Except for in the second half of 2006, when he posted a 3.12 ERA and struck out 35 in 34.2 innings, while holding opponents to a .198/.277/.347 line.

 

I'm not saying that I oppose the trade, but Aardsma certainly showed that he can be a successful reliever.

 

I'm not saying Aardsma will never succeed, just that he hasn't proven it for anything that would be considered a decent period of time.

 

One half of a season, on a team that was out of contention, doesn't qualify as proof IMO, that's all. Cotts did it for a whole year on a WS Champion. A bit different, wouldn't you agree?

 

I wish Aardvark all the best. I hope he does well, and he certainly might.

 

I'm not comparing Aardsma to Cotts. You said Aardsma hasn't shown that he'll be able to succeed at all. His performance this year shows that he certainly can succeed. Regardless of whether or not the Cubs were in contention, Aardsma still had pressure to prove he could get the job done and pitch at the major league level, and he did just that.

 

I'm not saying it's a bad trade. Cotts gives the Cubs four potential left-handers out of the pen (Eyre, Ohman, and Rapada being the other three). That gives them some flexibility to trade one of them for something of value, and if they're able to use that to their advantage, I'm certainly not going to badmouth this deal.

 

...success to me means something more long-term, but whatever. Sorry I should have been more clear.

[UK1679666180]

Good trade, of course, I've never thought too highly of Aardsma as he has a power arm in the mid 90s with a straight FB and below avg. breaking pitch and control.

 

If I was the Cubs, I would still pursue two starters and use him in long relief.

[abuck1220]

why are people so high on aardsma?

[goonys evil twin]

why are people so high on aardsma?

 

Who is?

[Mark_R]

Good trade, of course, I've never thought too highly of Aardsma as he has a power arm in the mid 90s with a straight FB and below avg. breaking pitch and control.

 

If I was the Cubs, I would still pursue two starters and use him in long relief.

 

Demp and Eyre for Lee and Westbrook??

 

I know most aren't big Cliff Lee fans, but another innings eater who could shave half a run in the ERA would be very valuable. Would be nice if he K'd more guys though...

[Sweet Swinging Billy]

I agree with all those posters that question this trade. I really don't like the fact that the Cubs traded away Aardsema (could be the second coming of Jon Garland), he's got a lot of potential and I really like his arm. I have a feeling that a couple of years down the road, that the Cubs are going to regret this trade. Please J. McDonough, fire Hendry right now.

[WrigleyField 22]

I'm neither a huge fan or huge doubter of the trade, but will say this:

 

This move further prooves a big move is coming and what the outcome of that deal is will ultimately determine how pleased I am.

[goonys evil twin]

I agree with all those posters that question this trade. I really don't like the fact that the Cubs traded away Aardsema (could be the second coming of Jon Garland), he's got a lot of potential and I really like his arm. I have a feeling that a couple of years down the road, that the Cubs are going to regret this trade. Please J. McDonough, fire Hendry right now.

 

How is Aardsma anything like Jon Garland?

[Roast]

Something is definatley going on, why would we need another LOOGY? Either Hendry sees a starter in him or there is a bigger trade coming involving Eyre.

[sethuel1]

I agree with all those posters that question this trade. I really don't like the fact that the Cubs traded away Aardsema (could be the second coming of Jon Garland), he's got a lot of potential and I really like his arm. I have a feeling that a couple of years down the road, that the Cubs are going to regret this trade. Please J. McDonough, fire Hendry right now.

 

How is Aardsma anything like Jon Garland?

 

he's right handed.

[Roast]

I agree with all those posters that question this trade. I really don't like the fact that the Cubs traded away Aardsema (could be the second coming of Jon Garland), he's got a lot of potential and I really like his arm. I have a feeling that a couple of years down the road, that the Cubs are going to regret this trade. Please J. McDonough, fire Hendry right now.

 

How is Aardsma anything like Jon Garland?

 

he's right handed.

 

And he left the cubs in a trade with the white sox.

[KingCubsFan]

I agree with all those posters that question this trade. I really don't like the fact that the Cubs traded away Aardsema (could be the second coming of Jon Garland), he's got a lot of potential and I really like his arm. I have a feeling that a couple of years down the road, that the Cubs are going to regret this trade. Please J. McDonough, fire Hendry right now.

That's ridiculous. Aardsma is nothing like Garland. He's just a middle reliever that throws hard. If you want to talk upside, we probably got the better end of this deal, as Cotts has good stuff for a lefty and (I believe) was among the minor league leaders in strikeouts one year. He was essentially Rich Hill and then was turned into a reliever. For some reason, he stopped using his curveball.

[Sammy Sofa]

I thought Aardsma showed a little something in his time with the Cubs, but nothing even close to indicating he's going to be some great loss as some are implying here. If Cotts is replacing someone who's going to be used in a tarde or he's going to be spun off himself in a deal, hey, good move. If not, it's pretty "meh."

[Sweet Swinging Billy]

goony's evil twin wrote: "How is Aardsma anything like Jon Garland"?

 

I agree that they are entirely, two different pitchers but all I meant by that was, Aardsema has a lot of potential and I just hope that he doesn't turn out to be as good, as Jon Garland. As Cub fans, we would never hear the end of it from White Sox fans.

[Sammy Sofa]

goony's evil twin wrote: "How is Aardsma anything like Jon Garland"?

 

I agree that they are entirely, two different pitchers but all I meant by that was, Aardsema has a lot of potential and I just hope that he doesn't turn out to be as good, as Jon Garland. As Cub fans, we would never hear the end of it from White Sox fans.

 

Are you saying Aardsma showed anything even close to a hint that he'd be anything except a reliever? Because I sure never saw it. That's what makes the Garland comparison, on ANY level, pretty ridiculous.

[Andy]

goony's evil twin wrote: "How is Aardsma anything like Jon Garland"?

 

I agree that they are entirely, two different pitchers but all I meant by that was, Aardsema has a lot of potential and I just hope that he doesn't turn out to be as good, as Jon Garland. As Cub fans, we would never hear the end of it from White Sox fans.

This comment sounds suspiciously like good old CBB's comment back in the day that we should never trade with the White Sox just in case it worked out badly.

[PrimeTime]

goony's evil twin wrote: "How is Aardsma anything like Jon Garland"?

 

I agree that they are entirely, two different pitchers but all I meant by that was, Aardsema has a lot of potential and I just hope that he doesn't turn out to be as good, as Jon Garland. As Cub fans, we would never hear the end of it from White Sox fans.

 

Are you saying Aardsma showed anything even close to a hint that he'd be anything except a reliever? Because I sure never saw it. That's what makes the Garland comparison, on ANY level, pretty ridiculous.

 

Aardsmaa has shown flashes of what he can do..the guy lacks control though..What go is throwing 97-100 MPH if you cant control it...He showed what happens by getting rocked plenty of times..Well just have to wait and see... This trade to me, is pretty much garbage for garbage..It means nothing..

[Sammy Sofa]

goony's evil twin wrote: "How is Aardsma anything like Jon Garland"?

 

I agree that they are entirely, two different pitchers but all I meant by that was, Aardsema has a lot of potential and I just hope that he doesn't turn out to be as good, as Jon Garland. As Cub fans, we would never hear the end of it from White Sox fans.

 

Are you saying Aardsma showed anything even close to a hint that he'd be anything except a reliever? Because I sure never saw it. That's what makes the Garland comparison, on ANY level, pretty ridiculous.

 

Aardsmaa has shown flashes of what he can do..the guy lacks control though..What go is throwing 97-100 MPH if you cant control it...He showed what happens by getting rocked plenty of times..Well just have to wait and see... This trade to me, is pretty much garbage for garbage..It means nothing..

 

What could he do besides relief pitching?

[Guest]

Put me in the "meh" camp on this trade, as this is basically a swap of young relievers with some potential whose performance to date has been a mixed bag at best.

 

While it's probably a pipe dream to hope that Cotts will ever return to his 2005 form, looking at his minor league numbers makes me think there's a decent chance he'll climb back to decent/pretty good territory. As has been pointed out, Cotts has had one outstanding MLB season and two pretty subpar ones. The big difference was in his HR rate; 1.79 and 2.00 in 2004 and 2006, respectively, but a minuscule 0.15 in 2005. Since he's pitched twice as many innings with the high HR rate, you may think 2005 was a completely fluke season, but it really isn't that far off his career minor league rate of 0.26 HR/9 in 300+ IP.