Players excited about reliable addition to back of bullpen

[TeamBoone]

11/29/2007

Notes: Cordero should ease minds
Players excited about reliable addition to back of bullpen
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com

CINCINNATI -- The Reds making a big splash in the free agent market? Their players can get used to that.
While some circles have criticized the Reds for overspending, several players on Cincinnati's roster were impressed that the team was thinking big with the addition of closer Francisco Cordero. On Wednesday, Cordero was formally signed to a four-year, $46 million contract with a $12 million club option for a fifth year.

"This is something I've wanted since I've been with the Reds," said left fielder Adam Dunn, who debuted with Cincinnati in 2001. "That's what [owner/CEO Bob] Castellini has preached and what's he's been doing. He doesn't want to rebuild. He wants to win now. He's shown it. Our job now is to go out and do it. It's what we've waited on since I've been here."

The 72-90 finish for fifth place in the National League Central gave the Reds their seventh straight losing season. The team rarely made bold expenditures in the market during that span.

Cordero saved 44 of 51 games for the Brewers last season and had a career-high 49 saves with the Rangers in 2004. He's also a two-time All-Star.

"Any time you get a guy with 40-plus saves, it's never a bad thing," reliever Jared Burton said. "It can only help us."

It was a very steep price to pay for upgrading the bullpen -- it's the most guaranteed money ever given to a reliever and the biggest free agent signing in club history. But those asked felt it was money well spent, because it addressed the club's primary weakness last season.

"I knew we'd try for bullpen help, but you only heard about A-Rod and [Johan] Santana," catcher David Ross said. "I don't think the Reds got enough recognition for doing a big signing. It's a huge, huge, thing for us to get someone for the back of the bullpen. It's nice to see the Reds go and do a really big pickup for our biggest need. It's nice to see them willing to go the extra mile."

David Weathers will move to an unspecified setup role along with Burton, who emerged as a solid option in his rookie year with a 2.51 ERA in 47 games -- including a 1.83 ERA after the All-Star break.

"As long as Weathers and I pitch the way we did last year and with the addition of Cordero, if we have a lead after six, we should be in good shape," Burton said.

Rotation ace Aaron Harang believes he'll feel better handing over a lead next season. Last season, Reds relievers were 23-31 and notched only 34 saves in 61 chances (33 by Weathers). The club allowed 123 eighth-inning runs.

"It shows us that we're definitely trying to improve from last year," Harang said. "The eighth inning killed us last season. If we can get someone to take over the eighth and get it to a solid closer, that's huge for us. I'm trying to go nine innings all the time and not have to give the closer work. But it makes me more at ease to know on the days I don't go nine, I can go seven or eight innings and have the bullpen come in and shore it up."

Breaking it down: The Associated Press revealed the breakdown of Cordero's contract. The 32-year-old will receive a $500,000 signing bonus and be paid $8.5 million in 2008. The salary jumps to $12 million for each of the final three seasons with full no-trade protection for the first two seasons and a limited no-trade clause after that.

Thoughts on future? Dunn is heading into the option year of a contract that will pay him $13 million this season. Eligible to be a first-time free agent next winter, he was asked Thursday if aggressive acquisitions like Cordero's would make him more open to signing an extension with Cincinnati. There have yet to be any talks, he indicated.

"Hopefully, at some point we'll get to that," Dunn said. "I'm enjoying the offseason and I'll deal with it when it comes."

Cueto update: Through six Dominican Winter League starts, Reds pitching prospect Johnny Cueto is 4-1 with a 2.84 ERA and 31 hits in 31 2/3 innings for Aguilas Cibaenas. Cueto has walked seven and struck out 37.

http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/...=.jsp&c_id=cin

[RedLegSuperStar]

Cueto in my opinion steals this article.. those numbers are amazing.

[dfs]

Originally Posted by RedLegSuperStar

Cueto in my opinion steals this article.. those numbers are amazing.

didn't belisle tear up the winter league last year?
Before that it was the Lizard.
I think before that D'Angelo had a winter where he swung the bat like Ruth.

I'm not trying to get you down on Cueto, just take winter numbers with huge doses of salt.

[RedEye]

I was a bit bummed to hear that the Reds aren't talking LTC with Dunn yet. Not surprised, just bummed.

[corkedbat]

Originally Posted by RedEye

I was a bit bummed to hear that the Reds aren't talking LTC with Dunn yet. Not surprised, just bummed.

Agreed. A full no-trade for FC in years 2 and 3 make that deal more risky too (I still like it though).

[Jpup]

Originally Posted by RedEye

I was a bit bummed to hear that the Reds aren't talking LTC with Dunn yet. Not surprised, just bummed.

Adam may have told them to wait until a certain date to approach him with an offer. Like he said, he is enjoying the off season. If we get to opening day and they haven't approached him, then worry.

[camisadelgolf]

Originally Posted by corkedbat

Agreed. A full no-trade for FC in years 2 and 3 make that deal more risky too (I still like it though).

I believe the full no-trade clause is for years one and two while the limited no-trade clause is for years three and four.

[REDREAD]

Originally Posted by Jpup

Adam may have told them to wait until a certain date to approach him with an offer. Like he said, he is enjoying the off season. If we get to opening day and they haven't approached him, then worry.

Even if Dunn wants to stay with the Reds, it would be smart for him to delay signing an extension as long as possible.
He's got enough money in the bank now to be financially secure for life. He might as well let salary inflation continue to happen.
By this time next year, there will be more fat contracts to show as comparisons.

I'm sure Dunn and his agent realize the amount of revenue the clubs are now making and realize that it will keep making the salaries go higher and higher.