Cotts becomes free when Cubs fail to offer deal

[December 14, 2009]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Left-hander Neal Cotts became a free agent when the Chicago Cubs failed to offer a 2010 contract.

A left-hander who turns 30 in March, Cotts struggled with his consistency and ability to get lefty hitters out this year, going 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA in 19 appearances before he was demoted to Triple-A on May 27. He was 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in 12 minor league appearances and had elbow ligament replacement surgery July 2.

Cotts, who made $1.1 million this year, spent the past three seasons with the Cubs. He spent the previous four seasons across town with the White Sox and helped them win the 2005 World Series, when he appeared in all four games. He has not allowed a run in eight career postseason appearances.

[Associated Press]

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