Francisco Cordero
Francisco Cordero | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic | May 11, 1975|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
August 2, 1999, for the Detroit Tigers | |
Last MLB appearance | |
August 1, 2012, for the Houston Astros | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 47–53 |
Earned run average | 3.38 |
Strikeouts | 796 |
Saves | 329 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
Francisco Javier Cordero (born May 11, 1975) is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, and Houston Astros from 1999 through 2012, often serving as the closer. On June 1, 2011, Cordero recorded his 300th career save with the Reds, becoming only the 22nd player to reach that mark. He completed his major league career with 329 saves and is a three-time MLB All-Star.
Cordero is frequently referred to by his nickname, CoCo, which is a combination of the last two letters of his first name and the first two letters of his last name.
Baseball career
Detroit Tigers
Cordero made his first appearance in the Tigers organization with the Jamestown Jammers of the New York–Penn League in 1995, appearing in 19 games, making 18 starts, and pitching to a 4–10 win–loss record with a 5.42 earned run average (ERA) in 108 innings pitched. Cordero then finished the 1995 season with the Fayetteville Generals of South Atlantic League, going 0–3 with a 6.30 ERA in four starts.
Cordero suffered through an injury plagued 1996 season, as he made only two starts with the Jammers, going 0–0 with a 0.82 ERA in 11 innings pitched, then with the Generals, he appeared in two games, making one start, going 0–0 with a 2.57 ERA in seven innings pitched. He played the entire 1997 season with the West Michigan Whitecaps of the Midwest League, where Cordero was converted into a closing pitcher. In 50 games, Cordero had an excellent season, going 6–1 with a 0.99 ERA in 54.1 innings pitched, earning 35 saves.
Cordero began the 1998 season with the
Cordero made his MLB debut on August 2, 1999, pitching the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Tiger Stadium. The first batter he faced was Chris Singleton, who grounded out. After Frank Thomas hit a single, Cordero managed to strikeout both Magglio Ordóñez and Brian Simmons to end the inning. The White Sox ended up winning the game 6–2. Cordero earned his first MLB victory on August 31, 1999, in a 14–6 win over the Texas Rangers. He finished the season with a 2–2 record and a 3.32 ERA in 20 games out of the bullpen. On September 27, 1999, Cordero transported the home plate of the old Tiger Stadium after the last game played there to Comerica Park along with pitchers Matt Anderson and Jeff Weaver.
On November 2, 1999, the Tigers traded Cordero, Frank Catalanotto, Bill Haselman, Gabe Kapler, Justin Thompson and Alan Webb to the Texas Rangers for Juan González, Danny Patterson and Gregg Zaun.[3]
Texas Rangers
Cordero made his debut with the
Injuries slowed Cordero down in the 2001 season, as he appeared in only three games with Texas, going 0–0 with a 3.86 ERA. With the
Cordero spent part of the 2002 season with Oklahoma, playing in 11 games, going 0–2 with a 5.84 ERA, while earning two saves. In Texas, Cordero earned his first career MLB save on June 19, 2002, striking out all three batters he faced in the tenth inning in a 7–4 win over the
In 2004, Cordero was the Rangers closer for the entire season for the first time in his career, and he had an all-star season, going 3–4 with a 2.13 ERA and earning 49 saves, second only to
He began the 2006 season as the Rangers closer, however, Cordero struggled early in the season, as at the end of April, despite a 3–2 record, Cordero had an ERA of 11.45. He lost his job as the closer to Akinori Otsuka, and on July 28, 2006, Texas traded Cordero, Kevin Mench, Laynce Nix and Julian Cordero to the Milwaukee Brewers for Nelson Cruz and Carlos Lee. Cordero had a 7–4 record with a 4.81 ERA and six saves at the time of the trade.[5]
Milwaukee Brewers
Cordero made his Brewers debut on July 28, 2006, pitching the ninth inning in a 4–3 loss to the
Cordero was named the winner of "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month Award" for April 2007.
At the end of the season, Cordero became a free agent, and on November 28, 2007, Cordero signed a four-year, $46 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds,[8] the largest contract ever given to a relief pitcher at the time.
Cincinnati Reds
Cordero made his Reds debut on March 31, 2008, pitching an inning in a 4–2 loss to the
Cordero had another very solid season in 2009, going 2–6 with a 2.16 ERA in 69 games pitched with the Reds, registering 39 saves, and earned a spot at the
In 2010, Cordero played a key role as the Reds made the playoffs for the first time in 15 years, and it was the first time Cordero made the playoffs in his career. He had a 6–5 record with a 3.84 ERA in 75 games pitched, earning 40 saves. Cordero did not see any playing time in the post-season, as Cincinnati was swept by the Philadelphia Phillies in three games in the first round.
Cordero put together another very solid season in 2011, going 5–3 with a 2.45 ERA in 68 games with Cincinnati, while earning 37 saves. On June 1, 2011, Cordero earned the 300th save of his career in a 4–3 win over his former team, the Milwaukee Brewers.[10]
Toronto Blue Jays
On February 1, 2012, Cordero signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.[11] Cordero was expected to begin the 2012 season as the Blue Jays set-up man to the newly acquired reliever Sergio Santos. Cordero was named the closer after a shoulder injury forced Santos onto the disabled list.[12] In May, Cordero was moved back to the set up man (replaced by Casey Janssen) after poor performance in the closer role.[13]
Houston Astros
Cordero was traded to the Houston Astros on July 20, 2012, along with Ben Francisco, Asher Wojciechowski, David Rollins, Joe Musgrove, Carlos Pérez, and a player to be named later (Kevin Comer) for J. A. Happ, Brandon Lyon, and David Carpenter.[14][15][16] Cordero was released by the Astros on September 10, after posting a 19.80 ERA and blowing his 3 save opportunities.[17]
Boston Red Sox
After not pitching during the 2013 season, Cordero signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox on February 16, 2014.[18] He was released on March 29.[19]
References
- ^ "Loco for CoCo? Looking at a possible Francisco Cordero extension". Red Reporter. September 15, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
- ^ "Don't expect Francisco Cordero to close for the Blue Jays". Content.usatoday.com. January 25, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
- ^ "Rangers trade Juan Gonzalez to Tigers in nine-player deal". augusta.com. Associated Press. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
- ^ Hawkins, Stephen (July 12, 2003). "Rangers trade Urbina to Florida for three prospects". The St. Augustine Record. Associated Press. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
- ^ "Unable to sign Lee, Brewers deal slugger to Rangers". ESPN.com. July 28, 2006. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
- ^ "Brewers re-sign Francisco Cordero". UPI. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
- ^ "Francisco Cordero named winner of "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month Award" for April". mlb.com. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
- ^ "Source: Reds, closer Cordero have preliminary agreement". ESPN.com. November 23, 2007. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
- ^ Groeschen, Tom (July 5, 2009). "Cordero only Reds All-Star rep". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
- ^ "Cordero earns 300th save as Reds rally past Brewers". USA Today. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
- ^ "Report: Blue Jays sign Francisco Cordero - CBSSports.com". CBSSports.com. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
- ^ "Blue Jays confident with Cordero as closer". Toronto.bluejays.mlb.com. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
- ^ "Jays demote Francisco Cordero, Casey Janssen to close". cbc.ca. May 9, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
- ^ "Astros make 10 player trade with Toronto". July 20, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
- ^ "Blue Jays send Comer to Astros to complete swap". MLB.com. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
- ^ Dave Zangaro Staff Writer. "Blue Jays trade Comer to Astros - News - Burlington County Times - Willingboro, NJ". Burlington County Times. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
- ^ Short, D. J. (September 10, 2012). "Astros release Francisco Cordero and his 19.80 ERA". NBCSports.com. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
- ^ Links, Zach (February 18, 2014). "Red Sox Sign Francisco Cordero". Mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
- ^ "Red Sox release Francisco Cordero". Fox News. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)