Brewers lose Cordero sweepstakes

645 · November 23rd, 2007, 05:44 PM

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers swung and missed on Francisco Cordero, and suddenly find themselves with a void at the back end of the bullpen.

Cordero, who set a franchise record with 44 saves in 2007 and was the team's primary free agent target, agreed to terms Friday with the Cincinnati Reds on a four-year contract that guarantees $46 million. It includes an option for a fifth year for $12 million and a $1 million buyout, according to a source with knowledge of the deal, which will not become official until Cordero passes a physical.

The Official Site of Milwaukee Brewers: News: Milwaukee Brewers News

645 · November 23rd, 2007, 06:10 PM

CINCINNATI -- The Reds made a huge move to improve the National League's lowest-ranked bullpen on Friday by agreeing to a four-year, $46 million contract with former Brewers closer Francisco Cordero.
A source familiar with the negotiations confirmed the deal with MLB.com. It comes with a $12 million club option for the 2012 season and a $1 million buyout. The signing is pending a physical next week.

In terms of guaranteed money, Cordero's contract would be the largest ever for a reliever.

The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Major League Baseball News

bedir than average · November 23rd, 2007, 06:20 PM

Wow, that's a huge deal. Especially for someone who wasn't even a top 10 reliever. That and the Rivera deal make the Putz non FA deal look VERY GOOD.

645 · November 23rd, 2007, 06:47 PM

As much as he wanted to retain the services of closer Francisco Cordero, Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said he feared bidding against himself for the coveted free agent.

In the end, Melvin stopped at four years and $42 million, with an option year included in the package. That turned out to be $4 million shy when Cordero agreed today to a four-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds for $46 million, with an option year for another $11 million.

That deal is contingent on Cordero passing a physical examination next week but Melvin is faced with the stark reality that his all-star closer is gone. And to another team in the National League Central Division, no less.

Melvin feared bidding against himself - Brewers Blog

645 · November 23rd, 2007, 06:50 PM

Free agent closer Francisco Cordero's new deal with Cincinnati is for four years and $46 million, with an option year for $11 million more.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said he offered four years and $42 million to Cordero, also with a option for a fifth year. Melvin said agent Bean Stringfellow told him he had a higher offer from another club and indicated the Brewers were more than $1 million shy.

Not knowing how much more it would take to keep Cordero, Melvin said he stopped bidding.

Cordero got $46 million; Brewers offered $42 million - Brewers Blog

645 · November 23rd, 2007, 06:52 PM

Nothing has been announced because the deal is contingent on a physical examination but I've just learned that Brewers free agent closer Francisco Cordero has signed a four-year deal with Cincinnati, with an option for a fifth year.

The news is a double blow for the Brewers. First, they lost one of the best closers in baseball, a dominating finisher who set the franchise record with 44 saves in 2007. Second, he has gone to a team in their division, meaning the Brewers face the prospect of facing their former closer time after time over the next four years.

Brewers lose Cordero to Reds - Brewers Blog

November 23rd, 2007, 05:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,347	Brewers lose Cordero sweepstakes MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers swung and missed on Francisco Cordero, and suddenly find themselves with a void at the back end of the bullpen. Cordero, who set a franchise record with 44 saves in 2007 and was the team's primary free agent target, agreed to terms Friday with the Cincinnati Reds on a four-year contract that guarantees $46 million. It includes an option for a fifth year for $12 million and a $1 million buyout, according to a source with knowledge of the deal, which will not become official until Cordero passes a physical. The Official Site of Milwaukee Brewers: News: Milwaukee Brewers News

November 23rd, 2007, 06:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,347	Reds, Cordero agree to four-year deal CINCINNATI -- The Reds made a huge move to improve the National League's lowest-ranked bullpen on Friday by agreeing to a four-year, $46 million contract with former Brewers closer Francisco Cordero. A source familiar with the negotiations confirmed the deal with MLB.com. It comes with a $12 million club option for the 2012 season and a $1 million buyout. The signing is pending a physical next week. In terms of guaranteed money, Cordero's contract would be the largest ever for a reliever. The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Major League Baseball News

November 23rd, 2007, 06:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
bedir than average Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 8,258	Wow, that's a huge deal. Especially for someone who wasn't even a top 10 reliever. That and the Rivera deal make the Putz non FA deal look VERY GOOD. __________________ I'm sorry I left for a while. I needed a vaction, and then work changed substantially. I'm over 50 hour weeks, plus two hours a day of commuting time. A few weeks ago I launched my own blog about Seattle Sounders FC and Life in Puget Sound. I won't be by these parts often as my focus has changed. Sorry about the unannounced retirement.

November 23rd, 2007, 06:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,347	Melvin feared bidding against himself As much as he wanted to retain the services of closer Francisco Cordero, Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said he feared bidding against himself for the coveted free agent. In the end, Melvin stopped at four years and $42 million, with an option year included in the package. That turned out to be $4 million shy when Cordero agreed today to a four-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds for $46 million, with an option year for another $11 million. That deal is contingent on Cordero passing a physical examination next week but Melvin is faced with the stark reality that his all-star closer is gone. And to another team in the National League Central Division, no less. Melvin feared bidding against himself - Brewers Blog

November 23rd, 2007, 06:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,347	Cordero got $46 million; Brewers offered $42 million Free agent closer Francisco Cordero's new deal with Cincinnati is for four years and $46 million, with an option year for $11 million more. Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said he offered four years and $42 million to Cordero, also with a option for a fifth year. Melvin said agent Bean Stringfellow told him he had a higher offer from another club and indicated the Brewers were more than $1 million shy. Not knowing how much more it would take to keep Cordero, Melvin said he stopped bidding. Cordero got $46 million; Brewers offered $42 million - Brewers Blog

November 23rd, 2007, 06:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,347	Brewers lose Cordero to Reds Nothing has been announced because the deal is contingent on a physical examination but I've just learned that Brewers free agent closer Francisco Cordero has signed a four-year deal with Cincinnati, with an option for a fifth year. The news is a double blow for the Brewers. First, they lost one of the best closers in baseball, a dominating finisher who set the franchise record with 44 saves in 2007. Second, he has gone to a team in their division, meaning the Brewers face the prospect of facing their former closer time after time over the next four years. Brewers lose Cordero to Reds - Brewers Blog