Reds Sign Cordero
November 29, 2007 by Geoff Young
Filed under Transactions
The Cincinnati Reds have signed right-hander Francisco Cordero to a 4-year, $46 million deal. Cordero talks about the influence Dusty Baker had on his decision-making process, but of course, the $46 million didn’t hurt either.
The numbers still seem wonky to me, but I suppose if you’re going to throw big money at a reliever, you could do a lot worse than Cordero. He’s a good bet to work 65+ games and provide well-above-average production in the process.
Pitching has been the Red’s nemesis all year. This was a gap that needed to be filled. If they were bound and determined to throw a lot of money into a reliever they could have done a lot worse. If they had had Cordero this year they probably would have been at least third in the AL Central, instead of in the basement with the Pirates.
The question is does Cincinnati have it in them to throw more money out there to get another starting arm? With Homer Bailey still a diamond in the rough and Bronson Arroyo not looking too swift, they could use another dependable starter. A trade for a solid veteran would do them a lot of good. Someone who could chew up a lot of innings but not necessarily a fireballer; someone Greg Madduxesqe, maybe. With Cordero, and add another decent starting arm or two, the Reds could be a surprise in ‘08.
Doug, I agree that the Reds could be a pleasant surprise in ‘08 if they get any kind of pitching. Is there anyone you think might make a good fit in the “veteran innings eater” mold?
Well, in an ideal world where money and contracts aren’t an option…. (I know it’s a cop out, but I can’t follow the intricacies of the free agent market with the detail that I would like.)
Top 5 Veteran Starting Pitchers the Reds Should Try To Acquire Not Listed in Any Particular Order
1) Tom Glavine – Cagey veteran who isn’t feeling his age right now and who will probably have about 15 to 17 wins in him next year. On the downside, he might start feeling his age pretty soon.
2) Mark Buehrle – Not necessarily a grizzled veteran at 28, but another guy likely to win about 16 games in ‘08. Possibly his potential has not fully developed. Then again, maybe his potential has fully developed.
3) Derk Lowe – At 34 he probably still has a few good years left in him. In the ‘04 through ‘06 season he averaged 207 innings pitched. On the downside, strikeouts aren’t his forte and he might win you 17 games or he might win you 10.
4) John Smoltz – Atlanta’s Energizer Bunny. Chews up innings, and still has solid stuff at 40. Probably good for around 15 wins, more under the right conditions. The downside, is he can’t keep up that pace forever, and the cost of acquiring him over developing younger, longer term talent would be prohibitive.
5) Greg Maddux – My personal choice in an ideal world. A class act who is also an awesome competitor in the best sense. Cagey, clever, and determined he is. Good mentor to someone like Arroyo and anyone else in the bullpen or dugout. On the downside, he may be like Roger Clemens. He might not know when to quit. That’s fine if you have the Yankee’s bankroll, but not if you have Cincinnati’s. At 41 he probably doesn’t have but a couple more seasons left. Maybe the intangibles he brings to a team outweigh this, maybe not.
There you have it, for what it’s worth. Again, if I really knew anything about baseball, I wouldn’t be living in a basketball state.
I’d love to hear your choices, Geoff. I know there is a dearth of arms on the market at the moment, and my knowledge of who is available isn’t very extensive; which is one (of the many) reasons I read your blog.