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Chad Cordero

Read The Transcript Of Our Chat With Former MLB Closer Chad Cordero

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The Montreal Expos drafted Chad Cordero 20th overall in 2003 out of Cal State Fullerton, and months later he was in the Majors as a member of their bullpen.  Chad had a fine season as part of the last-ever Expos team in ’04.  By the time this website launched in ’05, the inaugural Nationals season, he was the best reliever on the planet.  Cordero saved an MLB-best 47 games that year, posted a 1.82 ERA, made the All-Star team, and received MVP and Cy Young votes.

Cordero went on to save 128 games in his excellent career, all with the Expos/Nationals from 2003-07.  He also appeared briefly for the Mariners in 2010 before deciding to retire.

After enjoying our chat with fellow Fullerton alum Christian Colon, Chad reached out because he loves chatting with baseball fans.  We were thrilled to host him.  Chad was generous with his time and gave thoughtful answers to questions.  Read the transcript of the Chad Cordero chat here.

Since MLBTR readers have enjoyed our chats with MLB players, I’ll keep trying to line them up!  If you’re a current or former MLB player who would like to participate, please send us an email.  It only takes an hour, and you get to choose which questions you publish and answer!

Los Angeles Notes: Dodgers, Harang, Angels

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Mike Hampton, a left-handed starter who accumulated 148 wins over 16 big league seasons, is returning to baseball as a pitching coach in the Angels minor league system.  MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez writes that Hampton will join the staff of the Double-A Arkansas Travelers.  Here's more on the Halos, as well as their NL counterparts in Los Angeles:

  • Manager Don Mattingly did not see Aaron Harang as an option for the Dodgers' bullpen even before the righty's rough outing today, and that could make Harang a trade candidate, Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times reports. “Harang doesn’t seem like the kind of guy that pitches out of the pen,” says Mattingly. “To me he’s more of a guy that paints. He keeps you in the game. He’s just not that guy that’s going in and overpower you.”  After the acquisitions of Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu, the Dodgers have a surplus of starting pitching.  
  • Mattingly could see other starters (like Chris Capuano, who has also been pushed down the rotation depth chart), in bullpen roles, A.J. Cassavell of MLB.com explains.
  • With Harang and the rest of the Dodgers' rotation candidates (excluding Ryu) out of minor-league options, and with the bullpen seemingly an unlikely landing spot, the veteran seems aware that his time in Los Angeles could soon end, reports Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times.  "There's all sorts of scenarios out there right now, and if guys are traded, we're all starters," said Harang.  He went on to explain that he had to maintain the mental approach of a starter: "If we do get sent somewhere else and they want us to be a starter, we can't have the mind-set of, 'Oh I'm going to be a reliever now.' "
  • Former Nationals closer Chad Cordero, on the comeback trail with the Angels after nearly two years away from the game, aspires to return to closing, Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com writes. Cordero's infant daughter died in 2010, and the Blue Jays released him in May 2011. Cordero, who's still only 30, last pitched in the majors with the Mariners in 2010.
  • While there is some history for pre-arbitration players coming off of outstanding years to receive salaries substantially greater than league minimum, Mike Trout has little leverage, writes Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register.  Fletcher goes on to note that "there doesn't seem to be much incentive on either side" to explore a long-term extension at the moment, with the Angels having "enough money that they can afford to wait on Trout" to ensure that "he is as good as his first year showed."  For his part, Trout stated that he is "not even thinking about that now."

Charlie Wilmoth contributed to this post.

Angels Sign Chad Cordero

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Reliever Chad Cordero announced via Twitter that he has signed a minor league deal with the Angels.  The deal does not include a spring training invite, according to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com (on Twitter).  Cordero retired from baseball in June of 2011 after hooking on with the independent St. Paul Saints.

Cordero, 30, said back in March that he was getting the itch to play again and was giving serious consideration to making a comeback.  Across six seasons with the Nationals/Expos, Cordero posted a 2.78 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9.  The right-hander last appeared in the majors in 2010 when he saw time in nine games for the Mariners.

Cordero is represented by Reynolds Sports Management.

Quick Hits: Young, Cook, Dodgers, Cashman, Beltran

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It was on this day in 1956 that Frank Robinson hit his first Major League home run, en route to 586 career homers and a legacy as one of baseball's all-time greats.  Today, the Orioles are honoring Robinson with a statue at Camden Yards that will be unveiled before tonight's game with the A's.

Some notes from around the Majors…

  • The Reds have made it a priority to establish a strong bond with their fans — and hopefully increase attendance — by retaining popular players like Joey Votto, Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips, explains Tyler Kepner of the New York Times.
  • Former Expos/Nationals closer Chad Cordero told reporters, including Bill Ladson of MLB.com, that he'd like to make a comeback next season (Twitter link).
  • Delmon Young could be activated from the Tigers' restricted list by Tuesday or possibly even Monday night depending on the outcome of his evaluation by a counselor on Monday, Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski told reporters, including Chris Iott of MLive.com.  If Young is judged to require treatment for anger management and/or alcohol abuse, however, he would be sidelined for an indeterminate amount of time.
  • Bobby Valentine told reporters (including WEEI.com's Rob Bradford) that the Red Sox are considering using Aaron Cook as a reliever.  Cook can opt out of his contract if he is not called up to Boston's Major League roster by May 1 and the Sox have no clear spot for Cook in the rotation.  Cook has made just one relief appearance in the last eight seasons but recently said he's open to the idea.
  • There's no language in Cook's contract that would preclude a trade, notes Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal, although he adds there's no reason to think the Red Sox would want to do that (via Twitter).
  • The sale of the Dodgers to the Magic Johnson/Stan Kasten/Mark Walter ownership group is expected to be closed by Monday, reports Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
  • "This is a massive decision gone wrong right now," Yankees GM Brian Cashman told ESPN New York's Wallace Matthews in regards to the Michael Pineda/Jesus Montero deal and Pineda's subsequent season-ending shoulder injury.  "So all scrutiny is fair….Our fans are right to be upset about this. I'm devastated by it," Cashman said.
  • Besides the Cardinals, Carlos Beltran said the Indians pursued him the hardest in the offseason, reports FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal (via Twitter).  Beltran said he ultimately chose to sign with St. Louis because he wanted to play for the World Series champions and remain in the National League.
  • The Brewers have transferred Chris Narveson to the 60-day DL and called up reliever Vinnie Chulk to take Narveson's spot on the 40-man roster, the team announced via Twitter.  Mike McClendon was optioned to Triple-A in another corresponding move.  Narveson will undergo shoulder surgery on Tuesday that will sideline him for the rest of the 2012 season.

MLBTR's Dan Mennella contributed to this post.

Quick Hits: Nationals, Blue Jays, Soria, Carpenter

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Two weeks from now, the regular season will be underway. In the meantime, here are some links, including injury updates on a trio of pitchers…

  • "We are pretty comfortable with the team that we have right now," said Nationals GM Mike Rizzo to reporters (including MLB.com's Bill Ladson). "If something comes up to improve ourselves, we'll certainly investigate it. We are not selling anybody or shopping anybody or making a lot of phone calls, because we are comfortable where we are at."
  • The Blue Jays have five roster spots up for grabs – left field, fifth starter, utility infielder, two bullpen spots – but there are clear frontrunners for each job according to MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm. The team doesn't want to delay any official moves, but they also want to make sure everyone gets enough playing time to audition for jobs.
  • Royals closer Joakim Soria will undergo Tommy John surgery on April 3rd, Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reports (Twitter links).
  • Chris Carpenter is out indefinitely with a nerve issue, Cardinals GM John Mozeliak told reporters, including MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch (Twitter link). Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch suggests Carpenter will likely miss two months or more (Twitterlink).
  • Joba Chamberlain dislocated his right ankle and lost a life-threatening amount of blood yesterday, Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News reports. The injury will end Chamberlain's season and could threaten his career.
  • One scout says Mark Reynolds isn't appealing, especially given his $7.5MM salary, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com tweets. The Orioles are shopping Reynolds and teammate Kevin Gregg.
  • Padres owner John Moores could earn a substantial profit when he sells his team, partly because bidders who fail to purchase the Dodgers may view Padres as consolation prize, Jon Paul Morosi writes at FOX Sports.
  • Former All-Star reliever Chad Cordero tells Jonathan Hacohen of MLB Reports that he's getting the itch to play again and will attempt to come back to the Major Leagues in 2013. The 30-year-old reliever took time off to deal with the death of his infant daughter, but he's not ready to give up on baseball yet.

Mike Axisa contributed to this post.

Heyman On Beltran, Reds, Fielder, CBA

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The latest from Jon Heyman of SI.com:

  • The Red Sox are expected to pursue Carlos Beltran, according to Heyman. Beltran won’t cost a draft pick and posted a .300/.385/.525 line in 2011, but he would block Josh Reddick in right field. He’d be replacing fellow Scott Boras client J.D. Drew.
  • The Reds are “still thinking about” Francisco Cordero’s $12MM option for 2012. Cincinnati considered an extension for Cordero in September. For all fantasy baseball updates on relievers, go to CloserNews.com and follow @closernews on Twitter.
  • The Mariners are believed to be eyeing free agent first baseman Prince Fielder. Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik drafted Fielder with the Brewers, but the Mariners already have switch-hitting first baseman Justin Smoak in place.
  • Heyman hears that the players and owners may compromise on the issue of slotting in the upcoming collective bargaining agreement. The sides may be discussing a tax system for draft bonuses that would limit spending to an extent.

Chad Cordero Retires

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Former All-Star reliever Chad Cordero has retired, the St. Paul Saints announced. The 29-year-old had been pitching for the Saints, who play in the independent American Association. The Blue Jays released Cordero from Triple-A last month after signing him to a minor league deal in January.

The Expos selected Cordero with the 20th overall pick in the 2003 draft and he was in the Montreal 'pen later on that same season. He put together a solid 2004 campaign for the Expos and was the franchise's full-time closer in 2005. Cordero led the National League with 47 saves that year and made the All-Star team. He followed his breakout season with solid performances in '06 and '07, but had surgery to replace a torn labrum in 2008 and has struggled since.

The right-hander earned $11.5MM as a Major Leaguer, according to Baseball-Reference.com. Best of luck to Cordero in his post-baseball career as he recovers from personal tragedy. Hat tip to Bill Ladson of MLB.com.

Blue Jays Release Chad Cordero

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The Blue Jays released reliever Chad Cordero from their Triple-A club, reports Todd Dewey of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. 

Cordero, 29, signed a minor league deal with the Jays in January.  Cordero had 128 career saves under his belt as a 25-year-old with the Nationals, but he had surgery to repair a labrum tear in his shoulder in July of '08.  Since then he has been a part of the Mariners, Mets, and Jays organizations.  This year at Triple-A he posted an 8.66 ERA, 3.6 K/9, 4.6 BB/9, and 2.5 HR/9 in 17 2/3 innings, a departure from his Triple-A work of 2010.

Blue Jays Sign Chad Cordero

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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.

Mets Sign Chad Cordero

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The Mets completed their deal with free agent reliever Chad Cordero, who will likely pitch in Triple A Buffalo.  Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the agreement and Andy Martino of the New York Daily News noted that the deal had become official (via Twitter).

Cordero had labrum surgery two years ago and battled his way back to the Majors with the Mariners in June.  Optioned back to Triple A on July 15th, Cordero elected free agency.  It appears that Cordero will be arbitration-eligible after the season, as he'll still be short of six years service time. 

Rosenthal points out that Mets GM Omar Minaya originally drafted Cordero 20th overall as Expos GM in 2003.  Cordero went on to save 128 games for the Expos/Nationals before his injury.

Cordero, 28, struggled in his short big league stint but posted a 4.12 ERA, 10.1 K/9, and 1.8 BB/9 in 19.6 Triple A innings this year.  The Mets scouted Kevin Gregg and Scott Downs over the weekend, but Cordero is a more affordable option.

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