The former Chief and closer for the Washington Nationals signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners today. Despite having not pitched in 10 months, the Mariners believe that Cordero will be able to build his arm back to what it was several years ago and fill the role as their everyday closer.
The 27 year-old Cordero last pitched for Washington in late April of last year. At the time he was trying to battle back from an arm injury which had bothered him the year before, however the closer had lost significant velocity on his already notoriously slow fastball. After one outing when Cordero struggled to top 82 MPH on the radar-gun, Kasten and Bowden decided it was time to put him on the DL to rehabilitate his arm. He never made it back to the mound for the Nationals.
During his tenure for the Nationals/Expos Cordero saved 128 games in 142 chances from 2003-2007. His weaker fastball was made up for by his outstanding change up and solid curve. In 2005 he electrified D.C during the teams improbable run to first place as he set the pace for the club with his up tempo personality, flat brimmed cap, and led the Major Leagues with 47 saves.
Reports have Cordero's fastball still down 7-10 mph off of what it once was, but he says that he hopes to bring it back to the 89-90 MPH range. Cordero says he is currently at about 75-80 percent and should be able to assume the role of the Mariners closer by early June.
Nationals sign Julian Tavarez
The Nats signed veteran righty Julian Tavarez today to compete for both a spot in the bullpen and a possible job as a spot starter. The signing fills an important hole on the Nationals roster...pitching...everywhere. Hopefully for the Nats, Tavarez's versatility will help their extremely poor pitching staff by being able to fill in wherever needed.
While he is no longer the pitcher he once was, Tavarez has been both an effective starter and reliever in his 15 year career. Many fans will remember him being an important part of the Redsox bullpen in 2006.
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