7:53pm: We have a quote tonight from Cordero’s agent, Larry Reynolds:
"The timing of discussing non-tendering Chad Cordero is surprising, particularly at this time of the year, but that is the Nationals prerogative. We expect Chad to be fully recovered and if the Nationals decide to non tender him come December we will react accordingly. Chad’s a proven closer, he is working hard to get back on the mound and I am not concerned regardless of what the Nationals decide to do."
10:56am: Odd timing for this. Nationals GM Jim Bowden said last night he plans to non-tender former closer Chad Cordero after the season.
Non-tendering Cordero is a no-brainer for the Nationals. He’s earning $6.2MM this year, so the least they could pay him in ’09 is $4.96MM if they go through the arbitration process. Cordero had labrum surgery on July 8th.
Bowden expressed desire to bring Cordero back on a low base salary with incentives instead. He may have already destroyed his goodwill with Cordero, as the pitcher was shocked and upset by the early announcement.
