The Blue Jays have signed Chad Cordero, according to Reynolds Sports, the pitcher's agency, and the team (Twitter links). Cordero is just 28, but he has already experienced his share of highs and lows as a major leaguer.
He made the All-Star team and led the National League with 47 saves in 2005, when he finished fifth in Cy Young balloting and even picked up votes in the MVP race. But Cordero underwent right shoulder surgery in 2008 and has only appeared in nine big league games since.
Cordero posted a 3.03 ERA in 35 2/3 innings for the Mets' and Mariners' Triple-A affiliates last year. His strikeout (9.1 K/9) and walk (2.3 BB/9) numbers were strong in the minor leagues, but they didn't translate in his brief return to the majors.
Cordero will likely compete with pitchers such as Carlos Villanueva, Josh Roenicke, David Purcey, Jesse Carlson and Rommie Lewis for jobs in the Jays' 'pen this spring.
It’s pretty much a zero risk move that might result in the Jays nabbing a nice relief arm on the cheap. This is exactly the kind of experiment that the club should be trying this year. Unless absolutely everything breaks right this team has little to no chance at a playoff spot anyway so why not give some guys with potential who have underachieved or otherwise fallen out of favour elsewhere a chance to redeem themselves? Why not try Adam Lind at first base as the team has said it will?
I approve of the plan.