Yardbarker: Chad Cordero

Wags down but we have options.....

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:33:00 -0500

Closer Billy Wagner is not only done for the rest of this year but it looks like next year as well. Wagner will have TJ surgery on his left elbow which will sideline him until at least this time next year. Wags contract is up at the end of next season ( 1mil buyout for 2010) and you have to wonder if at 37 y/o his Mets career is over...

A Mets team official confirmed that Mets closer Billy Wagner will have elbow surgery this week and will miss the remainder of his season and possibly the entire 2009 season as well. source Star Ledger

With 20 games left and a two game lead in the east I'm sure the Mets are hoping they can limp into the playoffs, as we know once your in it's a whole new season. Depending on the standings the Mets may actually be scoreboard watching this weekend to see if the Phillies beat up on the Brewers since their only two games out of the wild card and that would give them a fall back plan.

For this season I see the Mets having four options Luis Ayala, Al Reyes, Brian Stokes and Ricardo Rincon. So far Ayala has been solid and he was Chad Cordero's set-up man for a few years before his own elbow injury. But Ayala was clearly laboring the other night with a leg/groin injury and you have to be concerned with his health along with handling the pressure as this comes down to the wire. Al Reyes hasn't even pitched an inning for the Mets but he did a solid job as the closer last year in the most offensive division in the league (AL east), Reyes beat out Brian Stokes for the job in Tampa. Now that Wags is gone I'm sure they give Reyes some work to see what they have. As far as Stokes he has looked so good but I'm waiting for the shoe to drop on him, he was so bad last year in the Rays pen that they gave him away even though he was only 28 y/o, throws high 90s and is under control for four more years. A dark horse for the assignment is Ricardo Rincon who has accumulated 21 saves over a 10 year career, the Mets like the cagey veteran and he reminds me of Jesse Orosco. I don't trust any of the other relievers who have all failed under the pressure of closing. Sure the Mets can mix and match to finish the season but if they make the playoffs rosters will reduce and they'll need an identified closer....

"The way Reyes is throwing does not surprise me, but it does [surprise me] the way he is handling one of the hardest responsibilities in baseball," said Devil Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey. "Alberto is a hard worker and one of those people who can overcome any obstacle." source ESPN 6/15/07

Cordero Staying With Reds

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:49:09 -0500

Contrary to reports from the Cincinnati Enquirer that say Francisco Cordero may be heading to the Mets, one National League executive has informed me that Francisco Cordero is not available. "[The Reds] are in rebuilding mode. Why move one of the key pieces to their bullpen when they may be just a year or two away from competing in the Central?" Cordero, who signed a four year deal worth 46 million dollars last off season, is 4-4 on the year with a 3.77 ERA and 25 saves. Having Cordero in the closer role has arguably made the pitchers in front of him a lot better. Both Dave Weathers and Bill Bray struggled last year filling in as the closer and it made the team a lot worse. They were blowing saves left and right and there really wasn't a closer available. Now Weathers has a 3.39 ERA and Bray has a sub-2.60 ERA, mostly because they have a defined role with the team.

While the Mets may be aggressively pursuing a relief pitcher, it won't be Chad Cordero. It is possible Dave Weathers is available, but the Mets may be thinking long term. If they can pry Will Ohman from the Braves, he would make for an excellent pick.

Lightning in a bottle... Ayala

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:52:58 -0500

It's been said that if the Mets get 20 quality innings from late season acquisition and reclamation project Luis Ayala he would be worth the risk. While it's still very early, the Mets have already gotten 3 of those 20 innings and could have found themselves a set-up man. Ayala was a very good set-up man for Chad Cordero in Washington for several years before his injuries. It's been reported that he requested a trade because he felt he needed a change of scenery due to his status in their pen and personal issues. Just maybe Omar caught lightning in a bottle with the Ayala trade..........

Quick Hits: Sabathia, Giles, Cordero, Cardinals

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:28:58 -0500

Quick Hits:

CC Sabathia is drawing serious interest from the Brewers, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. The Brewers need an ace to replace Sheets bringing in Sabathia for the end of the season could give them the push they need. Imagine a team with both Sabathia and Sheets.
Brian Giles' time as a Padre could be running out. According to the NY Sun, the Angels and and Dodgers are interested in bringing in the outfielder for the end of the season. Giles is a good second half hitter and should give any team a much needed boost.
Chad Cordero is out for the season and the Nationals are now scrambling for a new closer. There are several low risk options they could bite on, but it might be time to find a new closer for the future.
The Cardinals are looking to make a big splash and are eying Matt Holliday. It will cost them several prospects, but GM John Mozeliak has adopted a win now mentality that could push them past the Cubs with the addition of Holliday.

A look at the Nationals pick in the draft

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:13:30 -0500

The 2008 Major League Baseball draft will be held tomorrow and with the decisions made in it the future of the league will be molded. The Washington Nationals thus far have been very successful in the draft in their young history. Two of their cornerstones, Ryan Zimmerman and Chad Cordero, were a result of smart drafting that allowed them to pick Major League ready players that still had room to grow. The Nats will pick 9th overall in the first round tomorrow, which puts them in good but confusing position

AccuScore Closer Report - 5/12

Tue, 13 May 2008 17:17:41 -0500

There are new closer situations in St.Louis and Milwaukee, and a pitcher in Philadelphia returns to the ranks of the elite. Get the lowdown on all the bullpen situations including new middle reliever rankings in this week's edition of the AccuScore Closer Report.

AccuScore Closer Report - 5/6

Tue, 06 May 2008 13:42:14 -0500

An injury sends Chad Cordero to the DL, John Smoltz will make his return in the bullpen, and Eric Gagne blows yet another save. See how it all shakes out in this week's AccuScore Closer Report.

Cordero avoids the knife

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:28:56 -0500

Looks like Washington Nationals closer Chad Cordero will be able to avoid surgery on his ailing shoulder. Cordero recently met with Dr James Andrews about the shoulder, after his fastball was topping out at just 79 mph the other night. Andrews did a thorough examination and found no structural damage.

AccuScore: MLB Closer Report

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:13:12 -0500

Big name struggles and injury concerns are creating bullpen issues for several major league teams. AccuScore analyst Jonathan Lee has it all sorted out for you in this week's Closer Report.

AccuScore: MLB Closer Report 4/15

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:33:01 -0500

Teams all over the majors have bullpen issues due to injuries and just plain ineffectiveness. AccuScore analyst Jonathan Lee ranks the closers so you know who to rely on for your fantasy teams and who to avoid.

Monday Fantasy News and Notes

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:20:59 -0500

We go around the league and give important fantasy news that you need to know.

Estrada, Wily Mo, and the Cheif rejoin the club as Bergman and Flores are sent to Columbus

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:20:45 -0500

Johnny Estrada, Wily Mo Pena and Chad Cordero were all absent during the Nats 9 game losing streak. Bowden and Acta are hoping these now healthy veterans can help turn things around. Whether this is supposed to serve as a motivator or a legitimate baseball move isn't clear, but it seems to be helping a little considering the Nats are up right now 5-0 in the 6th…scratch that….as I type this it is now 5-2 in the 6th with a Chipper homer. .....

The Fantasy Baseball Closer's Report

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:29:42 -0500

The season might be young, but fantasy managers are already hitting the waiver wire with hopes of claiming the next big closer. Injuries are also playing a large role as Francisco Rodriguez and Rafael Soriano are two closers who hit the disabled report within the last few days. Here's a look at the closers to keep an eye on.

Week 2 Diamond DL Report

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:48:30 -0500

In this weekly fantasy column, FIO co-founder & editor Matt Hinzpeter takes a look at the walking wound in the world of fantasy baseball. Find out which guys are set to return, news and updates concerning some key players, as well as the newest additions to the DL.

AccuScore: MLB Closer Report 4/8

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:44:53 -0500

AccuScore analyst Jonathan Lee puts baseball's closers under the microscope. This weekly report will take a look at each position and rank the best to worst on a weekly basis.