Last year I said that Neil Cotts was going to bring a lot of value to the Cubbies, and that the trade that sent David Aardsma to the White Sox in return was not a bad deal. As of now, having witnessed yesterday's two pitch debacle by Cotts, in which he gave up a bases loaded home-run to A.J. Pierzynski, I eat my words. (Aardsma of course is doing great for the South Siders.)

I wondered about Lou Piniella's judgment when Cotts was called in to relieve Zambrano, given that this was a high tension moment and Cotts might not relish it. Then when I realized he was facing A.J., the one guy on the White Sox who probably understands his pitching better than anyone, I got really scared.

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.

The Cubs just traded for Neal Cotts, thereby securing a pretty darned good relief pitcher. Going to the South Side is David Aardsma, and a minor league pitcher (Vazquez). From what I have seen of Cotts, I like this trade for the Cubbies.
Here is a link: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story...

(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) The Cubs figure to activate shortstop Cesar Izturis from the disabled list either Monday or Tuesday, and they need to figure out what to do with rookie infielder Ronny Cedeno.

Cedeno, who has been subbing for Izturis, likely will move back to second base. However, the Cubs have been impressed with Ryan Theriot's play at second in recent weeks.