According to Alex Speier of WEEI 93.7 FM, Cordero’s agent is asking around to see if a major league opportunity exists for his client.
The veteran righthander did not pitch in 2013 following surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder, this after a disastrous campaign in 2012 that saw his ERA balloon to over seven runs.
Still, Cordero is only three years removed from a very solid 2011 season as the Reds closer where he racked up 37 saves and posted a 2.45 ERA in 69.2 innings.
Cordero was seeing an incremental decline on his average fastball velocity that began in 2006 although he compensated for it by changing speeds a lot and always being able to command his pitches. His ERA from 2006 through 2011 were: 1.69, 2.98, 3.33, 2.16, 3.84, 2.45.
In a 14 year career, Cordero has earned 329 career saves with an impressive 3.38 ERA and 8.7 K/9.
Free-agent relievers Joel Hanrahan and Ryan Madson are also available, but neither are ready to pitch or have a timetable for when they can pitch competitively. Neither can help the Mets for the foreseeable future. Cordero, on the other hand, is ready to go and is highly motivated.
