Jays sign Francisco Cordero: 1 yr, $4.5M

[LBJSeizedMyID]

This guy is terrible, why even bother? Willing to spend $4.5M on one season of a crappy reliever, but wouldn't sign Beede for less than that? Not liking this from AA at all. He has so little money to work with, and this is how he chooses to spend it...

These are two completely different things its not useful to compare them at all. As for Cordero they dont fell the BP is good enough yet, they tried to add Koji he blocked the trade so they went with the next best option. Cordero himself is not terrible his success last year shows that he has at least identified that he cant blow a FB past hitters any more. If he sucks oh well we have the depth to bury him and its not a ton of money to waste, and if he has success he is ether a useful part of the team or he can be flipped to another team. Last year Zep, Dotel and a B prospect got use Rasmus so anything is possible. This is a fine addition at this stage of the game, really were else would you going to spend the 4.5 mil if you hate this move so much?

He trusted his offspeed stuff a lot more with success. It will be interesting how much he goes to it this year, but he still has velocity (throws as hard as Mariano), and he can still strike guys out as evident in his swinging strikeout %. However I fully expect a walk rate closer to four still next year if past years are any indication. A return to a K/9 closer to 7 is a possibility, but as long as he keeps inducing those groundballs, I don't necessarily care.

[jrsmith]

4.5mil seems a little odd taking everything into consideration.

Taking everything into consideration what?

No starting pitching, no protection, good bullpen, penny saving ownership, etc. A tad weird for an ownership/management group that has already given up the season and solidified 4th place. Not that I care, it's another nothing move, just a little odd.

[Homer Jay]

He could be in a situation like Dotel, where he gets moved late in the season to spice up a package for a player AA wants.

[LBJSeizedMyID]

4.5mil seems a little odd taking everything into consideration.

Taking everything into consideration what?

No starting pitching, no protection, good bullpen, penny saving ownership, etc. A tad weird for an ownership/management group that has already given up the season and solidified 4th place. Not that I care, it's another nothing move, just a little odd.

Its not odd at all actually.

[satyr9]

Well it's a little weird when your closer makes 25k more than your 7th 'pen salary (Litsch after Janssen signs), all your 'pen arms make more than 3 of your starters, and your 'pen, which pitches a 30% of your innings, makes 60% of your pitchers' salaries.

[BobbyBoy]

Why does everyone like Uehara? He didn't have a good season last year, and he's 36, just like Cordero. So whats with the hype about him?

[Randle McMurphy]

Koji Uehara had a fantastic season in 2011. He was quite possibly the best reliever in the game (1st in AL in SIERA and xFIP).

[Rhettmatic]

My my, Francisco Cordero sure does look fat:

Andy Gray ‏ @si_vault
I have a feeling the Blue Jays weren't thrilled with Francisco Cordero's offseason workout routine

[Relentless88]

Cordero needs to have a talk with Cecil.

[Michael Bradley]

With Litsch injured, Cordero replaces him quite nicely.

(man, I wish we got Uehara.....)

[hyper316]

more of him to love baby

[LittleOzzy]

Wow that is one big pitcher...

[hyper316]

last year's bartolo colon was bigger i think

[baulderdash77]

Poor Jesse, Cordero took his spot as the designated fat pitcher. He's in terrible shape.

[Wo1verine]

As long as he pitches well, i could care less how fat he is.

[Skin Blues]

As long as he pitches well, i could care less how fat he is.

I'm sure everybody feels the same way. But it says something about the physical conditioning of a 37 year old pitcher that is that overweight. And physical conditioning is still pretty important for pitchers even though they're not running all over the place. They still need to avoid injury and maintain leg and arm strength and durability. This is why there's usually a velocity spike for pitchers returning from TJ surgery, because they're more focused on getting in shape.

[Deron05]

What a great way to come to a new team.

[MikeM]

I feel like he's the same size as Francisco was last year, possibly even Cecil.

[SharoneWright]

He looks like he ate Jason Frasor.

[Attonitus]

As long as he pitches well, i could care less how fat he is.

I'm sure everybody feels the same way. But it says something about the physical conditioning of a 37 year old pitcher that is that overweight. And physical conditioning is still pretty important for pitchers even though they're not running all over the place. They still need to avoid injury and maintain leg and arm strength and durability. This is why there's usually a velocity spike for pitchers returning from TJ surgery, because they're more focused on getting in shape.

If being in good physical shape was that important for pitchers, I would say at least 1/4 of pitchers in the league would be out of jobs, including most of the yankees staff.

Also, lets keep in mind Cordero was never a skinny guys in the first place.