The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed (now) former Chicago Cubs reliever Neal Cotts to a minor league deal. Cotts is rehabbing from mid-season Tommy John surgery, and was non-tendered by the Cubs earlier this offseason. Most thought Cotts would accept a minor league deal with the Cubs, but perhaps he realized that if he makes it back next year, he’ll have a better shot of making the big club in Pittsburgh than in Chicago.
Cotts was a bit of a bust with the Cubs, never again finding the dominating success that he saw in 2005 (what? a non-closer reliever who had big time success in one season but was otherwise unpredictable? zoinks!). Neither was he particularly effective as the designated “lefty” in the pen.
Cotts didn’t want a minor league contract with the Cubs – and now he’s accepted one with the Cubs’ AAAA affiliate. Shrewd.
By the way, come on over to WV23 for the Andre Dawson HOF contest. Big prizes involved.
Finally.