Great 2005 I remember his struggles as a starter, and really enjoy seeing the success since coming out of the pen. He always seemed like a standup guy. A former ISU Redbird and Illinois bred!

I still kinda wonder if they should ever consider using him as a starter...I don't know what his personal agenda is but like most young pitchers I'm sure his ideal situation would be as a starting pitcher. He seems to have happily accepted his role but in the future he may want to once again start.

 

But keeping on the positive - Great year Neal!!

I've heard he wants to try starting again. It might be worth a shot, and if it doesn't work out, you have a stellar reliever again.

Also, kudos to Cotts for showing some of the most in-season improvement I've seen by a Sox player in a long time. He went from the dreaded man on the mound to the soxtalk flavor of the last 3 months.

To another Soxtalk poster making in the big leagues, who is nice enough to even AIM with Heads...

I've heard he wants to try starting again.  It might be worth a shot, and if it doesn't work out, you have a stellar reliever again.

You're assuming that he can just flip from being a struggling starter to a dominant reliever with ease. That isn't always the case.

You're assuming that he can just flip from being a struggling starter to a dominant reliever with ease.  That isn't always the case.

 

A lot easier than going back to a starter after being a reliever.

Not only is it not easy, there is no room. Cotts has been one of the best reliever in the game. With Marte likley being shipped out, Cotts will play a much bigger role next season. He better.

 

He fits our role as a reliever...agreed. Down the line when he wants to start and has an opportunity to bolt, don't get upset....thats all I'm saying.

 

Theres not many pitchers who want to spend their entire 15 year MLB career as a lefty specialist. Jesse Orosco excluded of course....

Why not give Cotts a try and see if he can be a starter. Since he has success against both lefties and righties, it's just not the case of a loogy. It's easier to find a lefty in the pen than it is to find a lefty that would allow hitters to bat about .250 against him as a starter. I think he's still young enough to give it a try.

Whatever, I am enjyoing the Neal Cotts Expierence, and hopfully he keeps it up.

 

He's the Aaron Rowand of 2004. Hopefully, the Neal Cotts of 2006 doesn't regess like the Rowand of 2005.

Fathom, im going to ask where you put him? In 2006, with a hopful rotation of Mark-Freddy-Jon-Count-McCarthy, were is Neal going to start? And also what do we do with are pen if now have Marte and maybe Eyre? Adkins? I just dont think the Sox are in the position to just give him a chance.

 

Do I think Cotts could turn into a solid starter? Yes, I think Cotts could win 13,14 games. I just dont think the Sox are in any postion for Cotts to be given the chance to win 13,14.

 

Tony, you know that I think the Sox will end up trading Contreras this offseason for hitting. Thus, there's an open spot right there in the rotation, as Duque will likely become a long reliever/6th starter. This type of move makes us younger, gives us more payroll flexibility, and hopefully improves our offense a ton.

I like it, but I dont. Interesting idea, I just dont like another ? mark at the 5th spot. We dont know if Cotts can start, we just dont. If he fails, then we throw El Duque back in the mix. He is not going to get younger in the off-season.

 

I just feel 100% better with Brandon as a 5th starter, rather than as a 4th.

 

However, it is something to look into. I do like the 8 mil coming off the books for Count. Alot.

 

If Jose pitches well down the stretch and in the playoffs then 8 million is a bargain for a pitcher with his talent. We won't move him if he continues to have solid starts...

I like it, but I dont. Interesting idea, I just dont like another ? mark at the 5th spot. We dont know if Cotts can start, we just dont. If he fails, then we throw El Duque back in the mix. He is not going to get younger in the off-season.

 

I just feel 100% better with Brandon as a 5th starter, rather than as a 4th.

 

However, it is something to look into. I do like the 8 mil coming off the books for Count. Alot.

 

Contreras will definitely have a ton of trade value this offseason, especially going into the last year of his contract. A lot of teams, like the Reds or Rangers, will think he's their potential ace.

If Jose pitches well down the stretch and in the playoffs then 8 million is a bargain for a pitcher with his talent. We won't move him if he continues to have solid starts...

 

As KW proved last year, sometimes you have to trade high-price quality players in order to give your team more flexibility, etc. Of course, I'd rather get rid of Duque, and go with that great 5 man rotation. That's not likely though with our payroll and weak offense.

As KW proved last year, sometimes you have to trade high-price quality players in order to give your team more flexibility, etc.  Of course, I'd rather get rid of Duque, and go with that great 5 man rotation.  That's not likely though with our payroll and weak offense.

 

Unless we can just get a huge amount of talent in return for Contreras I still doubt they will move him. Either that, or anyone to replace Podsednik. I don't know who would trade for El Duque....we shall see

Unless we can just get a huge amount of talent in return for Contreras I still doubt they will move him.  Either that, or anyone to replace Podsednik. I don't know who would trade for El Duque....we shall see

 

It definitely has to be for an offensive difference maker.

I could see Texas moving Texiera or Blalock for someone like Contreras.

 

And I would take Texiera over PK at 1st in a heartbeat.

 

He's going to be due a huge contract when his is up, though.

Neal Cotts...great f***ing year!

Edited September 28, 200520 yr by WHarris1

I could see Texas moving Texiera or Blalock for someone like Contreras.

 

And I would take Texiera over PK at 1st in a heartbeat.

 

He's going to be due a huge contract when his is up, though.

Let me repeat this again...Teixiera is not moving until he signs with the Yankees in a few years. (Opinion, not inside knowledge or anything like that). Texas loves the guy. They know he's just getting better. They know how cheap he is. And they've been way too reluctant to trade any bats for pitching for me to believe that they'll move him.