Cubs acquire Cotts

The Cubs made a trade today with their city rivals the White Sox and acquired pitch Neal Cotts. He is a lefty specialist who struggled last season after posting a great season in 2005. It cost the Cubs 2 pitchers, David Aardsma and minor league pitcher Carlos Vasquez. I liked the potential Aardsma had and was hoping that he would have a slight impact this year and more of one next season (assuming the Dempster experiment finally ends). Hopefully this also doesn't mean that the Cubs are satisfied with throwing Roberto Novoa back out there. He is nothing more than a mop-up guy since he is so inconsistent.

This now leaves the Cubs with 3 lefty pitchers in the pen, Cotts, Scott Eyre and Will Ohman. I don't really see a need for 3 lefties in the pen for the Cubs, so I expect that Will Ohman might be on his way out. I like Ohman, but if he could bring in a useful bat or be packaged with some other players for a SP, then I am all for this trade. Also according to the MLB.com the Cubs might even think of putting Cotts in the rotation, if that happens, then Ohman will be staying with the Cubs.

Added note: The Cubs also have one more lefty in the pen, but due to health reasons, I am not sure if he is going to be back, Glendon Rusch. I hope he is getting better (health and pitching), but I also wouldn't mind the Cubs just releasing him and clearing a spot on the 40-man roster.