Source: Reds, closer Cordero have preliminary agreement

The Cincinnati Reds have reached preliminary agreement on a four-year, $46 million contract with closer Francisco Cordero, a baseball source confirmed to ESPN.com.

The deal, which includes a club option for a fifth year, is subject to Cordero passing a physical exam. The agreement was first reported by Foxsports.com.



Cordero, 32, has 177 career saves in nine seasons with Detroit, Texas and Milwaukee. He ranked second in the National League with 44 saves last season in Milwaukee and made the National League All-Star team.


The Brewers and Houston Astros were also pursuing Cordero before he signed with Cincinnati.

Cordero is the third prominent reliever to sign as a free agent this offseason. Mariano Rivera will return to the New York Yankees on a three-year, $45 million contract, and Scott Linebrink has agreed to a four-year, $19 million deal with the Chicago White Sox pending a physical exam.

In addition, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired closer Brad Lidge from the Houston Astros as part of a five-player trade.

Cordero helps upgrade a Cincinnati bullpen that went 23-31 last season and posted a National League-worst 5.10 ERA. David Weathers led the Reds with 33 saves, but has been a setup man for most of his major league career.

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Big hit to Milwaukee, but a nice move, assuming he doesn't implode, for the Reds...who are spending money with Dusty in there.

I don't know what to make of this $11 million a year for a closer. Wasn't Cordero the guy who pitched great at Miller Park but was unimpressive on the road?

I think they overpaid.

That's the way I recall Cordero's year as well. This signing doesn't really make much sense to me, unless all the pieces are in place for a big playoff run (sorry). This is more reminiscent of the Rangers making their big splash for Eric Gagne a couple of years ago, and we know how that turned out.

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