Closer? Go Fish...In The Potomac
We've signed the national treasure from the other side of the Pacific Ocean, managed to toss in (officially) a talented FA shortstop, and are reportedly close to making the deal with our ex-Dodger right fielder official, pending some contract rewording. The last two days have been filled with a blur of acivity, including the addition of two new bullpen arms: Brendan Donnelly and J.C. Romero. Unfortunately, though the bullpen has now been stuffed with experienced, middle-of-the-road relivers, there still remains one question to be answered: who's going to be closing games for the Sox in 2007?
In my heart of hearts, a part of me still sees Jonathan Papelbon trotting out of the bullpen in the 9th inning, but if you ask the Sox brass, that's not likely to happen. Eric Gagne, the one free agent who has had any sort of success in the closer role, signed a $6 million, one-year deal with the Texas Rangers recently, leaving a trade as the only feasible road to acquiring a closer.
There have been numerous reports that the Red Sox have been targeting one of my favorite players, Chad Cordero of the Washington Nationals. Cordero, who turns 25 next March, has been one of the few pitching studs for the Washington franchise over the last several years. Cordero has averaged just under 77 IP over the last three years, bringing a career WHIP of 1.12, ERA+ of 161, a K/9 ratio of 8.39. His plain old career ERA is swell 2.16. Just a reminder: this kid is my age, and yes, he's good.
So first of all, why would Jumpin' Jim Bowden even consider trading away the Nationals' own bullpen Boy Wonder? Yep, you guessed it: a closer ain't no good 'til you can win yourself a few ballgames, and all indications coming out of D.C. have been that the Nationals won't be improving much on their 71-91 record, particularly after they decided not to trade away Alfonso Soriano at the deadline, only to watch him waltz away to a lucrative free agent contract in the Windy City. Therefore, it stands to reason that the Nats could bag themselve a few young pieces capable of helping them out for more than just the 9th inning of a game.
Wily Mo Peña is likely available, maybe even David Murphy and Manny Delcarmen. Who knows, Charlie Zink could be just what our nation's capital needs to turn around it's performance on the sandlot. Still, this is Jim Bowden we're talking about, one of the game's absolute worst general managers. He's not exactly looking for above-average parts in a trade. Nor should he be, really. Cordero is on the cusp of proving himself an elite closer, and Bowden has to milk that for what it's worth. There comes a point, however, where Bowden should be looking at the overall health of his organization when considering a potential agreement. Cordero will likely not net any major starting prospects which, according to Bill Ladson, who covers the team for MLB.com, is exactly what Bowden is looking for.
Cordero would be the perfect cherry on top of what looks to be an impressive Boston offseason, but prying him away will prove to be incredibly difficult. In the end, a Cordero deal would benefit both sides, it just remains to be seen whether or not Jim Bowden can be dealt with. Otherwise, we'll have to look to the farm at the top of the 9th.
In my heart of hearts, a part of me still sees Jonathan Papelbon trotting out of the bullpen in the 9th inning, but if you ask the Sox brass, that's not likely to happen. Eric Gagne, the one free agent who has had any sort of success in the closer role, signed a $6 million, one-year deal with the Texas Rangers recently, leaving a trade as the only feasible road to acquiring a closer.
There have been numerous reports that the Red Sox have been targeting one of my favorite players, Chad Cordero of the Washington Nationals. Cordero, who turns 25 next March, has been one of the few pitching studs for the Washington franchise over the last several years. Cordero has averaged just under 77 IP over the last three years, bringing a career WHIP of 1.12, ERA+ of 161, a K/9 ratio of 8.39. His plain old career ERA is swell 2.16. Just a reminder: this kid is my age, and yes, he's good.
So first of all, why would Jumpin' Jim Bowden even consider trading away the Nationals' own bullpen Boy Wonder? Yep, you guessed it: a closer ain't no good 'til you can win yourself a few ballgames, and all indications coming out of D.C. have been that the Nationals won't be improving much on their 71-91 record, particularly after they decided not to trade away Alfonso Soriano at the deadline, only to watch him waltz away to a lucrative free agent contract in the Windy City. Therefore, it stands to reason that the Nats could bag themselve a few young pieces capable of helping them out for more than just the 9th inning of a game.
Wily Mo Peña is likely available, maybe even David Murphy and Manny Delcarmen. Who knows, Charlie Zink could be just what our nation's capital needs to turn around it's performance on the sandlot. Still, this is Jim Bowden we're talking about, one of the game's absolute worst general managers. He's not exactly looking for above-average parts in a trade. Nor should he be, really. Cordero is on the cusp of proving himself an elite closer, and Bowden has to milk that for what it's worth. There comes a point, however, where Bowden should be looking at the overall health of his organization when considering a potential agreement. Cordero will likely not net any major starting prospects which, according to Bill Ladson, who covers the team for MLB.com, is exactly what Bowden is looking for.
Cordero would be the perfect cherry on top of what looks to be an impressive Boston offseason, but prying him away will prove to be incredibly difficult. In the end, a Cordero deal would benefit both sides, it just remains to be seen whether or not Jim Bowden can be dealt with. Otherwise, we'll have to look to the farm at the top of the 9th.
Labels: 2006 Offseason
Ryan Brodeur at 7:58 PM
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