Reds ink Francisco Cordero for $46M

The Cincinnati Reds signed free-agent closer Francisco Cordero to a four-year, $46-million US contract on Wednesday.

Cordero, 32, will make $8.5 million US next season, with a $500,000 US signing bonus, and $12 million US annually after that.

Francisco Cordero is all smiles at Wednesday's media conference.
(Al Behrman/Associated Press)

The pact contains a $12-million club option for 2012 with a $1-million US buyout.

"They really want me to be here," he said. "They showed a lot of interest."

Cordero ranked second among National League closers with 44 saves in 51 opportunities for the Milwaukee Brewers last season.

The veteran right-hander posted an 0-4 record with a 2.98 earned-run average and 86 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings pitched.

"This is a key guy," Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said. "He is going to make our whole pitching staff better."

"Francisco is a very good pitcher," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "It is definitely going to help Cincinnati, and hurt us."

Cordero is 26-27 overall with a 3.29 ERA and 177 saves in 470 appearances over nine MLB seasons for the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers and Brewers.

The two-time all-star is a big boost for a mediocre Cincinnati bullpen that combined for a league-worst 5.13 ERA and 34 saves last season.

"That is demoralizing on a club," Krivsky said. "[We] got a lot better with bringing Francisco Cordero in here."

Former Toronto Blue Jays reliever David Weathers had 33 of the 34 saves, but he's better suited to being Cordero's setup man.

With files from the Associated Press

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