OK, someone's going to have to explain this one: "The Cubs acquired left-handed reliever Neal Cotts from the Chicago White Sox on Thursday in exchange for relief pitcher David Aardsma and minor-league pitcher Carlos Vasquez," reports the AP. Cotts was very good in 2005, but hasn't been much to write home about either before or since. Aardsma was the better pitcher in 2006 (3 RAA v. -2 RAA). And he's likely to be the better pitcher going forward.

Here's MLB.com's Carrie Muskat's explanation: "The Cubs felt they had an overload of hard-throwing right-handed relievers, which includes Bob Howry, Roberto Novoa and Kerry Wood. Cotts joins lefties Scott Eyre and Will Ohman in the Cubs' pen." So the Cubs need three lefthanders in the pen? Arizona Phil at The Cub Reporter thinks that the Cubs will now trade Ohman, noting the existence of emerging Clay Rapada.

Jim Hendry provides this interesting nugget: "[Cotts] could be outstanding for us in the 'pen, or maybe we'll give him a shot in the rotation." Cotts has started five big league games, the last time in 2004. He was a full-time starter in the minor leagues prior to the White Sox converting him to the 'pen once they brough him up. He had some success, but, like as a reliever in the big leagues, he walks too many people.

Cotts is currently elible for arbitration.

As for Vasquez, he'll be 24 in December. He had a 3.55 ERA in 50.2 relief innings for AA West Tenn last season. He was suspended for steriod use in early 2005. He had shoulder surgery later that season. In any event, I don't follow why it was necessary to include someone else besides Aardsma to acquire Cotts.