Francisco Cordero generally works one inning at a time, a few days per week.
Sounds like a cushy job, doesn't it? But, Cordero was a key to the Brewers' good start this season and as the team's closer will play a big role in how far things go the rest of the season.
"Francisco has done a great job for us and pitched like the All Star closer he was in 2004," general manager Doug Melvin said. "The club had a lot of confidence in him, and it is nice knowing that we have someone of his ability for the closer role."
Cordero said it's been a great fit with the Brewers. "I felt good almost as soon as I walked into the clubhouse," said Cordero, who was acquired from the Rangers as part of the multi-player Carlos Lee trade last July.
"There were several guys with this ballclub that I knew. I feel comfortable right away, and I got a chance to close again."
Cordero was an all-star reliever for the Texas Rangers in 2004 and racked up 111 saves for that club in six seasons. But, he had some arm troubles in the spring of 2006 and blew five saves in the month of April that year. That cost him the closer role in Texas.
Meanwhile, the Brewers' Derrick Turnbow started to struggle as the Milwaukee closer after an all-star first half. On July 28, in large part because Lee turned down a long term deal, the Brewers sent him and outfielder Nelson Cruz to Texas for Cordero, outfielders Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix and a minor league pitcher named Julian Cordero (no relation to Francisco).
Cordero took over for Turnbow and immediately responded, converting 16 of 16 save opportunities before blowing the last two of the season. Cordero went on to 16 saves, a 3-1 record with 1.69 ERA and a .213 opponents' batting average. He was picked the Brewers' Most Valuable Pitcher. After the season, the Brewers exercised their option on his contract for 2007.
This season, Cordero had gone 22 for 22 in saves, a stretch that saw him convert save chancess on five consecutive days (May 5-9), appears to be a strong candidate to pitch for the National League in the All-Star Game next month in San Francisco. His 10 saves in April set a franchise record for that month, breaking Doug Jones' mark of eight. Cordero was named the MLB "Delivery Man of the Month" for April.
For at least the first few weeks of the season, the Brewers had what outfielder Geoff Jenkins called "C " in the bullpen. Turnbow pitched the eighth inning and was lights out, setting it up for Cordero in the ninth.
Turnbow then blew two straight games, but Cordero has been in his teammate's corner from the start
"I feel good about how I pitched," he said after his first save as a Brewer last season. "But I want Turnbow to get back on track. He's a good pitcher, a good closer, and everybody knows that. I'm not going to get tired of saying that. Everybody goes through a tough stretch."
Brewers bullpen coach Bill Castro said Cordero is a seasoned-pro who is all business when it is time to perform.
"He's a quiet guy who goes about his business," Castro said. "He usually watches the game in the clubhouse until the sixth or seventh inning. Then, he comes to the bullpen and watches from there.
"When he gets the call, he likes to throw a lot of pitches to get ready. So, we give him some time. I go over the hitters who he likely will face, and he's ready to go. He's been closing for some time, so he has his routine and goes about it very professionally."
In part to avoid the type of arm problems that led to his struggles with Texas in early 2006, the Brewers brought Cordero along slowly in spring training.
"There's nothing wrong with my arm," the 31-year-old Cordero after his first spring training outing. "They want me to go slow, and that's good with me. Spring training is about getting yourself in shape and ready for the regular season."
Cordero pitched well in his spring training games and has kept it going during the regular season.
A native of the Dominican Republic, Cordero, who stands 6-2 and weighs 235, turned pro in his native country at the age of 16, when he made 12 starts in the Dominican Summer League. He signed with the Detroit organization in 1995 and struck out 19 batters in his first 20 innings.
Cordero was ranked as the top prospect in the Midwest League when he pitched as a reliever for Western Michigan in 1997. He suffered some elbow problems in 1998, but had a couple stints with the Tigers in 1999.
He spent all but eight days of the 2000 season with the Rangers and led American League rookies in relief innings with 77 1/3. After back problems limited him to three games in 2001, he rebounded in 2002 and established himself as a solid reliever over the next three seasons.
"Health is very important in baseball," Cordero said. "That is my main goal, to stay healthy. If I can do that, I can help a team.
"We have a good bullpen, with guys who have pitched good in the past. They can do it again. I feel good as a closer. I like getting the ball when the game is on the line.
"When I came over here last year, it felt good. I think we have a good team and can play winning baseball."
