The Boston Red Sox are one of four teams who are interested in the services of free agent closer Francisco Cordero. The Angels and Reds are also known to have interest in Cordero. The fourth team has not been identified.
Cordero will turn 37 years old next season. However, it does not seem to be his current age that is the issue for the Red Sox but the idea of a multi-year deal. Cordero's agent believes a team will give his client a multi-year deal and says none of the four teams have said no because of the prospect of such a deal.
That, according to an industry source, includes the Red Sox, who have mad more issues with the annual salary for Cordero than with the idea of a multi-year deal for a right-hander who has made at least 66 appearances in nine straight seasons. That's no guarantee of durability going forward (as the Sox witnessed with Dan Wheeler, who had never been on the DL prior to 2011 but ended up being sidelined twice - once in May, and again in September), but durability, consistency (Cordero has a 3.00 ERA since 2003, with a sub-4.00 ERA in each of those years and a sub-3.00 ERA in five seasons) and experience (Cordero has 327 career saves, 12th most in big league history) are all part of the package that Cordero has to offer. (via WEEI.com)
Cordero pitched for the Reds last season and was 5-3 with a 2.45 ERA, 42 strikeouts and 37 saves in 69.2 innings in 2011.
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