Chad Cordero Struggling

As Mark Zuckerman writes, Chad Cordero's slow start to the 2007 season isn't doing much for his trade value.  In the early going, Washington's closer has started relying more on his mediocre breaking pitches.  He was concerned that hitters would sit on his fastball.  Now he's falling behind to most hitters.  Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post gives his take here.

Home runs were a major issue for Cordero last year; he's on the same path this season with three allowed in 9.1 innings.  His normally solid control has been lousy, and he's given up more hits than a pitching machine.

Keith Law's scouting report in March warned of this (subscription required):

"American League teams looking at Chad Cordero as a closer solution might want to pause before meeting the high price Washington is asking for him. Cordero was throwing between 87 and 89 on Friday, and while he has a solid breaking ball, he works too often in the upper half of the zone -- giving up 13 homers last year in a tough home-run park -- and is just a tiny slip in command away from being a back-end reliever."

The old adage about trading a guy a year too early might apply here...will Cordero ever bounce back and have another 30 save season?  He's up to $4.15MM now and reaches free agency after the 2009 season.  Even if he's slipping, Cordero could probably help the Phillies, Reds, or Giants.

Comments

[astrosfanfromNY]

The Cordero situation is very much like the Brad Lidge issue in Houston. Is Washington as adament about "Not Trading" Cordero as Houston is about Lidge?

[dallasmavs41]

Washington is open to trade any except Zimmerman and Kearns..Trouble is, Bowden as usual, will ask for top pitching prospects. I don't see Cordero going anywhere soon unless the Phillies or someone else gets desperate.

[astrosfanfromNY]

I'm not as familier with the Nats as I am with the 'Stros, where are the major needs for the Nats?

[achilles17]

Basically everything except third base. Lopez, Schneider and Kearns are decent, and Cordero was decent until now. Other than that they have nothing.

[achilles17]

Oh, and Nick Johnson of course when he comes back, but nobody knows how good he will be when he returns, and that may not be for a while anyway.

[quintjs]

You can't blame Bowden for wanting pitching prospects.

The Nationals will always be nothing without any.

[astrosfanfromNY]

So, what would you as fans expect to get for Cordero if does go on the trade block?

[Grant77]

A guy like Shane Victorino mabye? I could see the Phils parting with him.

[DentalPlan]

J.A. Happ? No way the Nats could hope for Carlos Carrasco.

[Dev0]

Jays might be a player for cordero since Ryan is on the 60 day DL. But I tend to believe they will need more middle relief help then anything since frasier seems to be doin ok.