Originally published March 13, 2009 at 12:00 AM | Page modified March 13, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Comments (20)
E-mail article
Print view
Share
Mariners sign Chad Cordero
Former Nationals closer saved 47 games in 2005 All-Star season.
Seattle Times staff reporter
PEORIA, Ariz. — With no pitcher yet emerging in the Mariners' closer battle, the club has added a new long-term candidate: Chad Cordero, an All-Star in 2005 when he led the National League with 47 saves.
Since then, however, Cordero has been hit by a major injury, undergoing shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum on July 8. Cordero appeared in just six games in 2008, working 4-1/3 innings without recording a save. He had two trips to the disabled list, and his velocity reportedly was down 10 mph from his heyday, in which he saved 113 games from 2005-07.
The Mariners on Thursday signed Cordero to a minor-league contract, as first reported by The Seattle Times. He is expected to be in the Mariners' major-league camp today.
Because of his injury, Cordero won't be an instant savior, but the Mariners reportedly view him as a strong candidate to take over the closer job once he is fully healthy.
It's a surgery that often takes a year to completely recover from, though Cordero has been throwing for scouts from various teams since February. The Mariners have been monitoring him for the past month with special assistant Duane Shaffer, and are said to be pleased with the progress of his rehab.
"We are going to take it one step at a time, but we are optimistic that Chad can help us this season," said Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik. "Chad has been a quality major-league closer and we look forward to his contributions to our ballclub in 2009."
Cordero became a free agent when the Nationals removed him from their 40-man roster on Oct. 30. Jim Bowden, former GM of the Nats, had said in a radio interview during the summer that the club planned to not tender Cordero a 2009 contract. He earned $6.2 million last year.
Cordero is still young — he turns 27 on March 18 — and has been watched by several teams this spring, including the Rangers, Twins, Mets and even the Nationals. In his best season, 2005, he had a 1.82 earned-run average in 74 appearances, allowing 55 hits in 74-1/3 innings while striking out 61. He has a career 2.78 ERA in 305 games.
The Mariners are looking to replace their former All-Star closer, J.J. Putz, who was traded to the Mets. The candidates are Mark Lowe, Miguel Batista, Tyler Walker, David Aardsma, Roy Corcoran and Randy Messenger. While it's still early, Lowe has a 9.82 ERA in four Cactus League games, and Corcoran is at 10.80 after giving up four runs in 1/3 of an inning in a 9-1 loss to Texas on Thursday. Batista gave up just one unearned run in two innings to keep his ERA at 4.50.
Aardsma has looked good, not giving up any earned runs in four innings over four appearances. Messenger also has a 0.00 ERA, including 1-2/3 scoreless innings Thursday, but he gave up three hits and manager Don Wakamatsu commented after the game that Messenger appeared to be pitching defensively for the first time this spring.
Larry Stone: 206-464-3146 or lstone@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
Talks to restart between Mariners, Ken Griffey Jr.
Larry Stone: Big decisions await Jack Zduriencik as he heads for GM meetings
Baseball | Ex-Mariners reliever J.J. Putz files for free agency
MLB | Ex-Huskies pitcher Tim Lincecum makes deal with prosecutors
World Series | Yankees enjoy victory parade through Manhattan

Mourners gather at KeyArena for slain officer's memorial
Mourners gathered at KeyArena for the memorial service of Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton on November 6, 2009.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- Briefs | Soccer: New Mexico suspends hair-pulling player Elizabeth Lambert
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
- 3 Cascade Mountain passes close due to snow; more rain, wind expected Sunday
- McGinn pulling away as late ballots come in
- Using anti-shooter tactics, civilian Army police officer brought down gunman
- Heavy snow in Cascades shuts down roads
- UCLA game thread
940 - Weapons, bomb-making materials found in suspect's apartment
336 - U.S. House passes health plan
317 - Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
229 - Decision day for health care in the House
207 - Grading the game
148 - Referendum 71 show's Washington's strategy for marriage equality is working
134 - Huskies suffer another heartbreaking loss to UCLA
108 - Sounders FC-Dynamo playoff Game 2 thread
74 - How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
72
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- How do innovators think?
- 10 investing missteps to avoid
- 10 ways to take control of your health
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- Danny Westneat | Lee the Horse Logger found slow wagon shrank tumor
- Tlingit heritage helps glass artist Preston Singletary break new ground
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall






