Neal Cotts to be sent down?

by Chicagosportsfan on May 26, 2009 9:51 PM CDT

Infielder/outfielder Jake Fox continues to be one of the hottest hitters in the minor leagues. A promotion to the cubs is likely even though Fox has some defensive challenges. As of Wednesday night, Fox was hitting .423 with 17 homers and 50 RBIs in 149 at-bats.

Left-hander Neal Cotts has just about worn out his welcome with manager Lou Piniella as the only left-hander in the Cubs' bullpen. Jason Waddell, who signed as a free agent in November, could be called up to replace Cotts. Through Monday's games, Waddell's owns a 0-1 record and 5.40 ERA. In 16 2/3 innings pitched, he has 12 strikeouts, seven walks and has allowed 17 hits.

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If Neal Cotts is sent down, I will be a very happy Cubs fan.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Cotts can not be sent down

He has to be released. He can only be sent down if he A. Agrees. B Clears waivers. It might happen but he get’s paid
regardless.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on May 26, 2009 10:02 PM CDT reply actions

release him!!!!

Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by DC Cubbie on May 26, 2009 10:04 PM CDT reply actions

That's true

But what team wants a below average LHP with a 7.36 ERA?

by Chicagosportsfan on May 26, 2009 10:14 PM CDT reply actions

the Nationals?

"I don’t really play baseball, I feel it." -- Milton Bradley

by drewishdrewid on May 26, 2009 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Cotts has been very bad BUT...

… he throws hard with his left hand. So Cotts will have a job, if not with the Cubs then with some other team.

"People shouldn’t bust your chops just because you’re a Sox fan on a Cub board — but I know it happens. FWIW, I think sites like this are more interesting when fans of other teams join in the conversation." by Shanghai Badger on Mar 13, 2009

by DrCrawdad on May 26, 2009 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Would you like him back?

Got any extra lawn care products ? We can work something out.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on May 26, 2009 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions

I've got some used toothpaste in the sink

Will that and PTBNL get me him? I need someone to teach Little Leaguers how not to pitch. The best thing is I could use him as a ringer for late inning relief! Think he can get 6-10 year old co-ed Little Leaguers out?

The sun will shine in '69

by gaclaudy on May 26, 2009 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions

The toothpaste will do just fine

Keep the player

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on May 26, 2009 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions

the Cubs ?

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on May 26, 2009 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions

OOPS

We already got him! What do we win?

The sun will shine in '69

by gaclaudy on May 26, 2009 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions

a lot of 4 pitch walks.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on May 26, 2009 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Is that bad or good?

I can’t ever remember if we want walks or not?

The sun will shine in '69

by gaclaudy on May 26, 2009 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Marshall to pen?

Without Cotts does that still leave us with no LHP in the bullpen?

by ak123 on May 26, 2009 10:36 PM CDT reply actions

marshall has the best era out of all our starters.

i dont think we should move him to the pen just to be “the lefty” atleast give Waddell a chance first

by Glacier on May 26, 2009 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

But does Lou?

I think they are going to keep Wells in rotation instead of Marshall. Granted Wells started strong, it’s still early. It kind of reminds me of Rich Hill’s resurgance in the end of 2006.

by ak123 on May 27, 2009 12:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Jason Waddell

Will probably be called up. And when Harden returns, Marshall will be in the bullpen.

by Chicagosportsfan on May 26, 2009 10:51 PM CDT reply actions

Did I miss something

or is “0-1 record and 5.40 ERA. In 16 2/3 innings pitched, he has 12 strikeouts, seven walks and has allowed 17 hits” a good thing? In the minors nonetheless.

Sorry but there has to be better scraps to call up. How bout one of those “valuable pieces” we obtained by giving up DeRosa completing the stupidest move I have seen in a long time?

Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?

by Kinky Reggae on May 27, 2009 8:09 AM CDT up reply actions

Here he is

How does 15 IP, 10 H, 10 BB and 25 K’s sound? That’s LHP John Gaub’s numbers in AA…one of the players received in the DeRosa deal. Is he ready? Probably not quite but is he better than Waddell? Definitely.

Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?

by krummy12 on May 27, 2009 8:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

anyone could throw a dart and hit better numbers.

Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?

by Kinky Reggae on May 27, 2009 8:22 AM CDT up reply actions

Mashall to the bullpen? What games have you been watching? Marshall has been

one of the Cubs most consistent starters. If you go by the numbers, Harden or Dempster should be headed to the pen. Performance does count for something, you know.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on May 27, 2009 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Neither Harden nor Dempster

throw from the left side. Marshall is doing everything that Piniella could ask of him. They need a lefty reliever and they don’t have a good one that is capable right now other than him. They do have options at starter though.

by jerry morales rules on May 27, 2009 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions

Marshall is far too valuable as a starter

to screw around with him. We have right handers capable of getting lefties out. Seriously no one considers pulling Marmol or even Gregg for that matter just to face a lefty so why does it matter that much in the 7th inning or earlier. Use the best available reliever and don’t worry about the batter.

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on May 27, 2009 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions

As agonizing as it sounds...

the lack of choices for what to do with Cotts, and the lack of proven LHP’s in the mnors – means it makes sense to keep him a little longer and give him one more chance to succeed or fail. There’s a lot invested in him already, and he’s hard to replace.

by DisCUBbobulated on May 26, 2009 10:54 PM CDT reply actions

I'd rather have a bullpen full of righties

if he’s the best lefty we can get. Let Ascanio, Guzman, Marmol, Gregg, and Wells (when Harden returns) take the 6/7-9th innings, not like Cotts has been great against lefties or anything so he really has no value to this team whatsoever.

"One time I went to a social gathering, I brought a bottle of Tanqueray and a shotgun and showed those motherf&#@ers the best time they ever had!"- Kenny Powers (Eastbound and Down)

"Why give 100% when 35 can still get you paid and laid."- Kenny Powers

by gridiron_assassin on May 26, 2009 11:20 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Neil Cotts is not a lefty

Sure I guess technically he is, but the funny thing about Cotts is, he can’t get Lefties out so he’s absolutely useless as a LOOGY. I wish people would stop thinking just because he’s a lefty and the only lefty in the pen, that he should be kept around, mainly Lou and Hendry.

Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen

by lemon20pie on May 26, 2009 11:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed...

the only reason you specifically have a LHP is because they theoretically are tough on LH batters. Cotts is not tough of LH batters. For some reason, the Cubs don’t get that.

by SouthernCub on May 27, 2009 6:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Great point...

he may as well be a righty who sucks at pitching. He should start “pitching himself” as that. Pun intended of course.

Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?

by Kinky Reggae on May 27, 2009 8:10 AM CDT up reply actions

That's my point exactly

"One time I went to a social gathering, I brought a bottle of Tanqueray and a shotgun and showed those motherf&#@ers the best time they ever had!"- Kenny Powers (Eastbound and Down)

"Why give 100% when 35 can still get you paid and laid."- Kenny Powers

by gridiron_assassin on May 27, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions

Wadell

doesn’t sound like much of an improvement over Cotts.

"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg

by gwood on May 27, 2009 7:33 AM CDT reply actions

Whack Cotts, dump Patton -- move Marshall to pen, call up Stevens

That’s what I would like to see. I understand that Sean Marshall has done a fine job in the rotation, but our bullpen sucks and Marshall can provide a huge shot in the arm to that unit. Meanwhile the starting rotation should remain just fine, notwithstanding my eroding faith in Dumpster.

Awww, come on guys, it's so simple maybe you need a refresher course. It's all ball bearings ...

by BLou on May 27, 2009 8:29 AM CDT reply actions

Fox will be with the big club as of today

I’m close friends with his brother and I got the text last night that he’s being called up and will be with them for today’s game…

Gotta love the Ragin' Cajun!

by TheRiot4Life on May 27, 2009 8:56 AM CDT reply actions

The recently ended losing streak...

…may have been Cotts’ deathknell. He put up some nice K numbers last season, but he’s been awful for just about two months now. I said it yesterday, and even after the win last night, I’ll say it again: Cut him to make a statement and keep the revolving door of reliever prospects moving.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by daver on May 27, 2009 10:40 AM CDT reply actions