This Date In Transactions History: Jose Bautista
Six years ago today, the Devil Rays sold Jose Bautista to the Royals, who became the utilityman's fourth organization in seven months. It was just the beginning of a turbulent summer for Bautista, who would return to the Pirates in a three-team deal in July of 2004. Back then, Bautista was intriguing enough for teams to want him, but not quite good enough for them to keep him. Today, he's leading the American League with 20 homers.
The Pirates made Bautista available in the 2003 Rule 5 draft and acquired him back the next July. In between, Bautista was the property of the Orioles, the Devil Rays, the Royals and, briefly, the Mets. He didn't play particularly often or particularly well for any of the four teams he suited up for in 2004. Bautista played third base and all three outfield positions but didn't flash the combination of patience and power that has turned him into a valuable big leaguer.
Bautista has led the Blue Jays to a league-leading 115 homers and he's fourth in the Junior Circuit with 47 walks. Some Rule 5 picks, like Dan Uggla, start contributing immediately, but Bautista's history shows that some picks take longer to develop. Who knows – maybe Kanekoa Texeira, a Rule 5 pick in his third organization of 2010, will be an All-Star caliber player within a few years.
This Date In Transactions History: Francisco Cordero
It's the summer of 1994 in the Dominican Republic. Teenagers are showing their skills off to the general manager of the Detroit Tigers, Joe Klein. The hitters bat and, one after the other, the pitchers throw. The sun has started setting by the time a tall, sturdily-built right-hander takes his turn. And as soon as Francisco Cordero starts unleashing fastballs, Klein takes notice.
"There was no question in my mind that he was going to be a major leaguer," said Klein, who is now the executive director of the Atlantic League.
Even then, Cordero had a blazing fastball. He was a couple inches shorter than he is today and had yet to fill out completely, but Tigers scout Ramon Pena liked the looks of the 19-year-old. Klein was surprised to find out that Cordero hadn't been signed, but the pitcher didn't remain a free agent for long. The Tigers signed him 16 years ago today.
It took most of five minor league seasons for Cordero to reach the majors and even when he finally debuted with the Tigers in 1999, he walked nearly a batter per inning. It wasn't until three years after the Tigers sent Cordero to Texas in the Juan Gonzalez trade that he emerged as a dominant pitcher. Cordero has been effective every season since 2002, averaging 30 saves per year, posting a 2.90 ERA, striking out more than a batter per inning and limiting his walks (3.8 BB/9).
Now, Cordero's nothing like the teenager the Tigers found in the Dominican 16 years ago. Klein sees similarities between the prospect he signed and the 35-year-old flamethrower in the Cincinnati bullpen, but can he believe they're the same person?
"No," Klein said. "He's learned to focus and he's matured and I'm really proud of him."