Look out, NL, here come the Reds. Cincinnati is signing Francisco Cordero. He's getting four years, $46 million.
The deal, which is pending a physical, is the largest four-year contract ever given to a closer. It includes a club option for a fifth year that can bring the total value of the package to $57 million.
Good grief. I guess it's safe to assume the Reds are willing to raise payroll.
If signing Dusty Baker wasn't a declaration of serious intentions, this certainly is. The Reds want to win, and are willing to spend money to do it.
In other hot stove news...the Yankees have signed CJ Henry. He was their first round draft pick in 2005. He struggled in the transition to the pros, and was one of the prospects sent to Philadelphia as part of the Bobby Abreu deal. The Phillies cut him loose, and the Yankees took him back.
And how about Torii Hunter? The Halos gave him a five year, $90 million deal. That's just crazy. He's a good player, but
that good? He has no patience at the plate. He used to have a great glove, but that was six years ago. He's fallen off sharply since then, and is now just average, maybe below average defensively. He'll be 37 by the end of the contract. And I thought the Yankees overpaid for Johnny Damon.
