Top 5 Worst Off Season Signings..
From Dayn Perry @ Foxsports.com:
3. Francisco Cordero, CL, Reds: Four years, $46 million
See above about relievers and four-year contracts. The difference here is that this is a small-market team paying more than $11 million per annum for 65 innings or so. That’s not a wise use of resources, particularly considering the Reds’ payroll limitations. Overall, teams need to be much more creative in digging up bullpen solutions. It would be refreshing if more teams would go back the old Earl Weaver gambit of breaking in their top starter prospects with a season or two in the major league pen. In any event, teams are going to learn the hard way (yet again) that four-year contracts for relievers are rarely wise.
I really don’t think this is much different than what many of us have said. We expect Cordero to be effective, but questioned the amount of resources that it took to bring him to Cincinnati. Basically, it is the same argument that was made about the % of total payroll that was used when Junior came to the Reds..and he’s an everyday player (theoretically).
December 10th, 2007 at 10:04 am
If that’s one of the top five worst signings of this off-season, then major league GMs must be doing a fantastic job.
December 10th, 2007 at 10:31 am
How was the Kendall signing not the WORST??? He’s terrible.
5. Jason Kendall, C, Brewers: One year, $4.25 million
December 10th, 2007 at 11:08 am
I didn’t like the Andrew Jones signing, but I think that puts me in the minority.
December 10th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
We needed bullpen help, we got bullpen help. It’s expensive, but necessary.
December 10th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
meant to post this here…
There seems to be no concern over Cordero’s ability-only over his price. So let’s make some assumptions. In the next season or two, Cordero meets expectations but Burton also proves that he can more than adequately assume the closer role. (Both are pretty safe bets, I’d say >50%).
If this is the case-then we can trade Cordero in the next season or two (even if we have to take a little hit on the salary-its worth it) for the remainder of this contract. I think everyone is thinking of him like Eric Milton and that he will have absolutely no trade-value. If Eric Gagne can command 10 mil for a year-someone will surely take Cordero.
December 10th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
Brett … I thought the Jones’ signing was terrible in the amount, but I liked it because he signed on with the Dodgers
December 10th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
What’s the argument here?
Dayn Perry seems to say that it is paying 11 million this year for Cordero that’s the problem. If that is your argument with this signing, then look around the league…
Gagne gets a one year deal for 11 million from the Brewers. Gagne over the last three years has accomplished what exactly? 66.4 IP, 26 ER, 25 BB, 76 K, 25 Saves and implosion as a Red Sock.
Basically what this tells me is that 11 million is the going rate in 2008 for 30 year old, potential closer, with name recognition and poor overall stats from the previous three seasons.
In terms of 2008, CoCo looks to be a steal in this market.
On the other hand, if the argument is the Reds being on the hook for the next four years at the same rate for Cordero, then I can sort of understand it.
In 2005, Billy Wagner signed a four year $43 million deal with the Mets. At the time he was 35. Sure the Mets have more to spend and Wagner is a hall of famer, but the precedent has been laid and if the Reds wanted to get in on arguably the best FA closer, then they had to spend like they wear the big boy pants.
Maybe if you are in the position of the Angels, and have a phenom like Rodriguez, you can choose not to re-sign a Troy Percival, and enjoy having an inexpensive closer. However, the Reds don’t have that guy.
I’d rather spend the money on a closer and build a young and inexpensive pen with Brays, Burtons, etc. than the converse.
December 10th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Nathan makes a good point in trading value for value as well. However, if Burton pans out Burton might be the trade bait.
December 10th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Burton panning out doesn’t make either player tradeable. It means the Reds have two good arms in the bullpen.
December 10th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Cordero has a complete no-trade clause for 2008-2009 and a limited no-trade clause after that.
Kendall’s signing isn’t worse because it’s only for one year. Perry’s point is that 4 years is too many for relievers.
A point that I think Perry misses is that the Reds can afford to pay big bucks to a position like closer right now because they are going to be cheap on the infield corners for a while, plus Hamilton and Bruce will be cheap in the outfield as well. When you have young, upcoming talent in key positions, you can afford to spend in places that you wouldn’t normally spend.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
How is Mariano Rivera not the worst? Three year deals for 38-year-old relievers are okay? Or is it that Fox Sports have man love for the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, and what ever glamour clubs I didn’t mention?
December 11th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
I think Rivera isn’t the worst because A) the contact is affordable for the franchise and B) Rivera has bucked all reliever trends by not having bad years.