Cubs acquire pitcher Cotts from White Sox

CHICAGO, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- The Chicago Cubs acquired relief pitcher Neal Cotts from the Chicago White Sox for pitcher David Aardsma and a minor leaguer.

It was the first trade between the cross-town rivals in eight years.

Cotts, 26, was 2-1 with one save and a 2.95 earned run average over 70 appearances last season. Over his 4-year career, Cotts is 10-7 with a 4.52 ERA.

Aardsma, 24 and heading into his third major-league season, was 3-0 with a 4.08 in 45 games with the Cubs in 2006.

The minor leaguer in the trade was pitcher Carlos Vasquez who split time between Single-A and Double-A last season.