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What should we do if Cordero leaves?

So now that free agents are free to talk dollars and cents with any team, I thought we should run through a list of things to do if Cordero walks.  Listed, in no particular order (I used ERA+ and WHIP both because I was in a bit of a hurry and they're what I was most comfortable using in a hurry)

1.Sign Eric Gagne.
His second-half numbers this past year were horrid, but he's got a career 124 ERA+ and 1.13 WHIP. Doug was talking about getting him at the deadline last year, and I have no doubts that he would have fared better in Milwaukee than he did in Beantown (how couldn't he?), and he might come a <span style="font-style:italic;">tad</span> cheaper with what happened last year.  At the very least, he'd be cheaper than Coco (Jon Heyman thinks he'll make $6M next year).
2.Sign Octavio Dotel.
He declined his option and filed for free agency. He also had a poor second half, and may not be the ideal closer, but he'll come cheaper than Coco or Gagne, and has a career 121 ERA+/1.24 WHIP.
3.Trade for Brian Fuentes.  The Rockies are apparently willing to shop him for a starting pitcher, something we happen to have an excess of. He's got a career 124 ERA+ and a 1.26 WHIP, though is (I think) under control for just one more year, so we could trade and extend him (maybe).  Or let him walk and get draft picks for a departing closer (again). He was a Type A player in this year's Elias Rankings.
4.Trade for Washington's Chad Cordero or Jon Rauch.
Apparently the Nats are looking for starting pitching and are willing to move Ryan Church as well. A package for both Church and Rauch/Cordero?  Rauch has a decent career 115 ERA+ / 1.22 WHIP. The "other" Cordero comes in at 154/1.19.  Plus, we wouldn't have to get rid of Coco's old uniform- we can just give it to Chad.
5.Trade for Scot Shields
This might be the one I would be most in favor of, but would probably be the hardest to pull off.  I am sure we'd have to give them at least one big prospect, and I dunno what else, but it would probably take a lot, especially as they signed him to a contract extension earlier this year.  Larry Stone notes that Chone Figgins could be made available if the Angels get A-Rod.  He has played some outfield, so maybe a big time deal involving Figgins and Shields?  I don't see it happening.
6.Trade for Akinori Otsuka.  We know that the Rangers were interested in Tony Gwynn, Jr back at the trade deadline, and it appears that they still have some interest in him. I'm sure it'd take more than just Gwynn, but I wouldn't be opposed to it (depending on who else is in the deal)
7.Other FA RPs of note: Eddie Guardado, Dan Kolb, Jorge Julio, Ray King, Jose Mesa, Bob Wickman.  Just kidding.
8.Convert one of our guys to closer.
It's been suggested maybe Ben Sheets convert to closer a la Smoltz/Meyers, but I doubt it would happen.  Dave Bush was a closer in college, and I wouldn't be against the move.
9.Or, of course, give the job back to Turnbow.

What do you guys think?

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Rauch or Fuentes
I wouldn't be opposed to getting a guy like John Rauch. He'd be under control for a couple more years, too, so that'd be a bonus. I also think Fuentes would be an intriguing option, even if it's only for a year (he's on the wrong side of thirty). Of the two, I'd want to go with Rauch over Fuentes and not only so we could see Estrada try and talk up to him. I guess during mound visits he would step behind the mound and the catcher would stand on the rubber so they'd be more even (he's 6'11" if people don't get why he'd have to do that).
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.

by TheJay on Nov 12, 2007 11:41 PM CST reply actions  

My wishlist
might be something like:
  1. Shields
  2. Gagne
  3. Fuentes
  4. Otsuka
  5. C. Cordero
  6. Rauch
  7. Dotel
  8. Turnbow
"Shabbat shalom, motherfuckers" - Ryan Braun

by The Prospector on Nov 12, 2007 11:41 PM CST reply actions  

I'm holding out hope
that we can keep Cordero somehow, but in reality that might not happen.  In addition to your list, there are some interesting relievers coming over from Japan that are worth a look, but I'm probably most in favor of dealing Sheets for some bullpen help.  We have an excess of starters and it seems like more sense to use our big trading chip to bring in a good closer, rather than messing with converting one of our SP to RP.  Better to get the most for Sheets now than to watch him get injured for half the year and leave after next season anyways.

As for Gagne, he just seems like a bad idea to me.  He used to be amazing, but his injury really ruined his ability and I don't think he's ever going to recover.

by stevie ray Braun on Nov 12, 2007 11:55 PM CST reply actions  

Cordero has to be signed
The bullpen was already a major hole for this team in 2007.  Linebrink had a nice September and Cordero was usually clutch.  We need to try and acquire three bullpen arms this year.  I think Dotel would be a good signing because the promise is there and I think we can get him for a good price.  Eric Gagne should be avoided because he is a Boras client AND has a big name.  He'll sign with a team like the Red Sox and Yankees and be overpaid.  The Nationals are so hard to make trades with.  In the past their asking price for Cordero and Rauch has been too high to take them seirously.  While Shields struggled last year, he is a key part to the Angels bullpen and would not come cheap and may not be available especially if they put together a package for Miggy Cabrera.  Figgins and Shields in one combined deal is an even bigger pipe dream.  Those two guys aren't going anywhere but maybe to Florida.  You joke, but one of Eddie Guardado, Dan Kolb, Jorge Julio, Ray King, Jose Mesa, Bob Wickman signed for $1 million for one year would not be a bad idea.  We need at least some guys to eat innings. Turnbow, Aquino, McClung, Shouse, Spurling, Stetter, Wise, and something like Parra/Capuano is pretty scary.

   

by MunichBrats on Nov 13, 2007 12:33 AM CST reply actions  

I was joking
about those guys closing; certainly its possible for one of them to be a serviceable 7th inning guy
"Shabbat shalom, motherfuckers" - Ryan Braun

by The Prospector on Nov 13, 2007 1:04 AM CST up reply actions  

Ah yes, I did misread a little
I thought you were dissing those guys being in our bullpen all together.  Yeah, I certainly hope none of those guys closes for us.  We will need someone to pitch in the 6th/7th and if that can be done for $1M or even 3 million over 3 years let's draft that puppy up.  

by MunichBrats on Nov 13, 2007 9:12 AM CST up reply actions  

Please
Anybody but Gagne.

We'd be better off going back to Turnbow than overpaying for a guy several years removed from his best days (and most productive Stanazonol cycles).

by Acheron on Nov 13, 2007 1:53 AM CST reply actions  

My guess
I don't think we're going to get CoCo.  I would think it'd be pretty rare for a team to resign its own player AFTER the exclusive negotiating rights window had closed (which it just did).  I'd bet that it'll be just like when El Caballo left: we'll offer more than most people here would be comfortable with (say, $48 mil/4 years), but he'll go with someone who really overbids for his services (say, $75 mil/5 years, and an option for a 6th year).  I think the Yankees will re-sign Rivera, pressuring the Mets to sign CoCo.

I'll also bet that we won't go with someone who's unproven, not when we're expected to challenge for the division title.  No Turnbow, no Bush, no Sheets (though I wouldn't be against that last one).

I bet it'll be a FA instead of someone we trade for, like a Gagne or a Dotel.

Actually, one guy I would mind kicking the proverbial tires on is Eddie Guardado.  Since around 2000 or so, he's been one of the best closers in baseball; after a rought 1st half with the Ms in 2006, he was traded to the Reds, where he was awesome once again.  He came back from Tommy John surgery last season, and had a "bad" August (in this case, three bad outings in a row against the Braves, Padres, and us) but only gave up 4 baserunners in 7 innings in September (including 2 innings against us again).  The Reds turned down a $3 mil option, which seems foolish, though I don't really expect the Reds to do too much right nowadays.  I hope we take a look: even if we don't make him our closer, he'd be a fairly cheap reliever who might be surprisingly good.  Right now, he seems like a better bet for success than, say, Gagne.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Nov 13, 2007 6:20 AM CST reply actions  

CoCo's overrated anyway
we do exactly what we should be doing anyway:

convert sheets, light turnbow on fire

by SunglassesAtNight on Nov 13, 2007 10:07 AM CST reply actions  

unless..
we can manage a studly deal involving sheets.

like jenkins, I absolutely love sheets and would hate to see him elsewhere.  unfortunately, we can't afford to keep a highly-paid, oft-injured player on our roster.  i hate to see him go, but if we can get a good deal in return, i'm not sure we can turn it down.

by SunglassesAtNight on Nov 13, 2007 10:09 AM CST up reply actions  

a couple questions...
Is Gagne a type A FA?

Is there any reason to think Sheets would succeed in 1-inning roles?  I think he's got the makeup for it, but does anybody have any data on his 1st innings vs later innings performance?

I'm surprised nobody's mentioning Linebrink.  He is what he is; a guy with an outstanding history but questions about recent mediocrity.  Somebody will overpay to see if he can close.  Why not us?  The guy misses bats more than Easy Eddie or any of the mop-up guys being mentioned.  Would we have to give us our own 1st rd pick for signing him?

by balldeagle on Nov 13, 2007 10:49 AM CST reply actions  

It might be nothing
but I've heard no indication from Linebrink that he's interested in re-signing with us.
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Nov 13, 2007 11:12 AM CST up reply actions  

Yeah.
He spent most of his time here this summer with a look on his face that said either:

"Hmmm.  I don't think that shellfish I had last night was as fresh as they said."

or

"Milwaukee sucks."

by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Nov 13, 2007 6:52 PM CST up reply actions  

I want
Scot Shields. I wouldn't mind Figgins's versatility and batting average.

Make it happen.

TED IS TO NED WHAT CHENEY IS TO BUSH.

by CATALYST on Nov 13, 2007 11:18 AM CST reply actions  

NOOOOO to Figgins
Do we really need the scoreboard putting up "gettin' Figgy with it" graphics on the scoreboard?
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Nov 13, 2007 11:38 AM CST up reply actions  

make it NOT happen please...
Shields is only arguably better than Linebrink, and would take a Sheets-ian offer to pry away.  Why would we want Figgins empty BA?  His versatility is wasted on a team with Hall and (presumably) Counsellino.

The Rangers have catching and young bullpen arms and need a CF.  Hall for Laird?  Hall for C.J. Wilson/ Joaquin Benoit and Taylor Teagarden?  I like Billy, but he may be our most tradeable asset if Sheets is untouchable.

by balldeagle on Nov 13, 2007 11:39 AM CST up reply actions  

Maybe
Though I don't know if TG is ready to play everyday, as much as I might like him to be.
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Nov 13, 2007 11:48 AM CST up reply actions  

What's....
Brooks Kieschnick up to these days?

4 years/$60MM and all our problems solved.  Make it happen.

by SunglassesAtNight on Nov 13, 2007 12:37 PM CST reply actions  

Man do I long...
to bring back the days of the Great Kiesch and his amazing PH Homeruns...Ahhh the good ol' days.

by MadJimiBrewha on Nov 13, 2007 1:56 PM CST up reply actions  

I don't mean to be a broken record...
But check out this MLB.com article on the Rangers...

texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article
 (I hope that href works...)

They want a young CF that can grow with their young core.  With the haul they got from their deadline deals they've got talent to spare, especially at C.  And if you haven't seen Wilson or Benoit, those are some electric arms.  We've got 3 young CF-types, with Hall, Hart and TG Jr, and surplus OFs to plug in the hole of whoever we get rid of.  It makes a lot more sense than trading away our ace or other SPs.

by balldeagle on Nov 13, 2007 5:07 PM CST reply actions  

It's worth clicking on the link
Just to see how young Jon Daniels is.  I would have guessed high school.  I can't imagine Moustache talking trades with him.  I can imagine Moustache's son asking him about his high score on Guitar Hero II.
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Nov 13, 2007 5:19 PM CST up reply actions  

Melvin reveals a few relievers
that he's looking into.  Tom Haudricourt is reporting a few names out of 8 or 9 relievers that Melvin is interested in.  I like Mahay and Riske (although Riske seems to be speculation on Tom's part), but Hawkins and Herges scare me based on their career numbers.  Thoughts?

by thetoddmon on Nov 14, 2007 10:07 AM CST reply actions  

Rumorville: CoCo costs too much dough-dough
According to Yahoo, CoCo is looking for $40 million over 4 years.

That sounds about right --- in fact, I think he'll end up signing for more.  

In any event, the Brewers should pass.  We have a lot of other holes that need filling.

"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"

by roguejim on Nov 14, 2007 4:56 PM CST reply actions  

not so fast...
I think those numbers are a little cheap for Coco.  I would certainly expect him to ASK for more than BJ Ryan money. His numbers are better than Ryan's, why wouldn't he ask for more?  I say, if that's his price, hit the BUY NOW button and stop the bidding!

by balldeagle on Nov 15, 2007 3:40 PM CST up reply actions  

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