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Astros Contact Cordero, Iguchi, Matsui
As promised, new Astros GM Ed Wade has touched base with a ton of free agents. We already knew about Luis Castillo, Jon Lieber, Scott Linebrink, Torii Hunter, Aaron Rowand, and Tom Glavine (see Astros rumor archive).
Today we've got more names to add to the list, courtesy of Jose de Jesus Ortiz. The most interesting one: closer Francisco Cordero. Buster Olney's thinking is that the Astros contacting Cordero indicates a willingness to trade incumbent closer Brad Lidge. Olney spoke to one executive who predicted Cordero would get $40MM this winter. That sounds about right. Cordero's agent, the delightfully named Bean Stringfellow, represented Billy Wagner for his landmark four-year, $43MM deal in November of 2005. If several teams decide they need to have an All-Star closer, I could see bidding getting closer to $50MM for Cordero. Or even a five-year deal.
The Astros are also poking around on a couple of second baseman, despite their supposed satisfaction with Chris Burke. Aside from Castillo, Wade has contacted Tadahito Iguchi and Kaz Matsui. That trio pretty much sums up the second base market.
By the way, Olney also notes that any notion of the Astros making Roy Oswalt available is false.
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No need to toss that $ around on Cordero or a 2B.
Signing Linebrink would make me happy though :)
Posted by: cords | November 07, 2007 at 04:11 PM
Is Ed Wade getting ready to declare his candidacy for a national political office? Seems a little strange, the way he is going about things. This much-ado approach often ends in little-a-done at the end of the day.
If it turns out this way it would be unfortunate, because there is work to do. Sign Livan Hernandez and a closer (at Cordero's price he may be too much of a luxury, so why not Gangne on a shorter term?), and find a 2B, in that order. That may be enough in the Central.
Posted by: the stork | November 07, 2007 at 04:24 PM
red sox to meet with Boras, no "substantative talks have occurred." about Coco Crisp.
:http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/
"Both the Twins and A's are eyeing Boston's young talent. The Twins might entertain a Johan Santana deal, while the A's might make Dan Haren available. Haren is interesting because he is tied up through 2009 at $4 million and then $5.5 million, with an option for $7.75 million in 2010."
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2007/11/07/earning_his_keep/?page=1
Posted by: Kramerica Industries | November 07, 2007 at 04:25 PM
CORDS:
No need to toss $ around on a 2B, huh? How do you figure? Chris Burke is a chump and the Astros don't have a real leadoff man.
Why pay Burke $1MM and Loretta $3.5MM as insurance when you could use that $ plus the Biggio $ coming off the books to sign Castillo?
Posted by: WHIPit | November 07, 2007 at 04:29 PM
I think adding Cordero would make the Astros bulpen very good. I would keep Lidge though. With there rotation, i would want to "shorten" the game Qualls in the 7th, Lidge in the 8th and Cordero in the 9th. Add Castillo for some OBP(yes the Astros are allowed to put some OBP in front of Berkman) to produce more runs.
Posted by: Kramerica Industries | November 07, 2007 at 04:29 PM
Clemens just might be done: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5282373.html
Posted by: jatorres | November 07, 2007 at 05:02 PM
Also, Brad Lidge will have a bounce back year and then be traded at the deadline. Mark my words.
Posted by: jatorres | November 07, 2007 at 05:06 PM
Epstein's comment in taking on a young, controllable pitcher is interesting. Dan Haren makes alot of sense there, given his affordable 3yr deal.
Clay Buchholz, Craig Hansen & Coco Crisp?
Posted by: WestCoastBias | November 07, 2007 at 05:28 PM
WestCoastBias - that would be a great trade for the Sox. I would think that the A's will want AT LEAST 2 superstar prospects. Hansen is just OK.
Posted by: bjsguess | November 07, 2007 at 05:45 PM
Haren? I think Blanton is more likely. He's not signed through his arbitration years.
Posted by: skye | November 07, 2007 at 05:55 PM
WHIPit:
I think Chris Burke is more like the 2006 Chris Burke. .276 AVG and .347 OBP.
He improved his BB/9 from 6.9% to 7.8%, and lowered kis K/9 from 21.0% to 16.3 %. Yet his overall line was far worse due to a poor BABIP. Burke was unlucky this year, and I think he bounces back in '08 if given a full time gig.
Posted by: cords | November 07, 2007 at 07:48 PM