2009 Chicago Cubbies Season Outlook : Neal Cotts

Today we look at the lone left handed reliever the Cubs have in the pen, Neal Cotts.

Originally drafted by the Oakland A’s in 2001 and traded to the Chicago White Sox in 2002. Cotts joined the Cubs prior to the 2007 season as he was traded to the Cubs in exchange for right handed reliever David Aardsma. The Cubs acquired Cotts, coming off a disastrous 2006 season in which his ERA was 5.17 in 70 games, with the hopes he would revert back to 2005 form in which he posted a 1.94 ERA in 69 games.

The Cubs acquisition did not look too promising during Spring 2007 as Cotts got shellacked pretty good. He did not make the roster out of Spring and would spend the majority of his year in Iowa. However, Cotts was determined to make it back to the big leagues and ended up appearing in 16 games for the Cubs going 0-1 with a  4.86 ERA.

While his numbers did not look good at all, he showed good pop on his fastball hitting 92-94 mph and nice change-up when located. In other words, the arm strength and talent were still there, therefore the Cubs re-signed him to a one year deal. Just like in 2008, Cotts began the season in Iowa when he failed to beat out Scott Eyre as the team’s left handed specialist, but he would not stay in Des Moines long.

When Eyre ceased being effective, Cotts got his shot. He came up in early 2008 and never went back to Iowa. Cotts ended up pitching 35 2/3 innings, striking out 43, and posted a 4.29 ERA. Against lefties he posted a 3.63 ERA while striking out 22 in 17 1/3 innings. As it stands right now, Cotts will begin the 2009 season as the primary left handed specialist for the Cubs out of the bullpen. If Cotts can do his job effectively, he will be a big time component to the Cubs success.

Rolf’s 2009 prophecy for Neal Cotts – 43 innings pitched with a 4.24 ERA overall and a 3.49 ERA against left handers. Cotts will go 2-3, strike out 47 and record a save. MARK IT DOWN!!!!