Given the Brewers' bullpen situation this year and the performance of right-hander Francisco Cordero, it was hardly a shock that the team picked up the right-hander's $5.4 million option for 2007.
The official announcement came today.
"Francisco did a great job for us and pitched like the All-Star closer he was in 2004," general manager Doug Melvin said in the press release. "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 next year."
Cordero, who was acquired from Texas in a trade that sent Carlos Lee to the Rangers, went 3-1 with a 1.69 earned run average in 28 games for the Brewers. He converted 16 of 18 save chances and held opponents to a .213 batting average.
In 49 games with Texas, Cordero went 7-4 with a 4.81 ERA and six saves. But, in his last 37 outings in the American League, he posted a 2.87 ERA.
Cordero's deal included a $500,000 buyout. The Brewers also will pay Derrick Turnbow $2.35 million next season. Turnbow, a National League all-star who collapsed in the second half (0-5, 11.29 ERA). That puts $7.75 million in two pitchers at the back end of the bullpen. The Brewers' payroll is projected to be around $60 million.
In other Brewers news, catcher Chad Moeller and relievers Joe Winkelsas, Allan Simpson and Chris Mabeus elected their free agency. Right-handed reliever Chris Spurling was outrighted to Class AAA Nashville.
The official announcement came today.
"Francisco did a great job for us and pitched like the All-Star closer he was in 2004," general manager Doug Melvin said in the press release. "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 next year."
Cordero, who was acquired from Texas in a trade that sent Carlos Lee to the Rangers, went 3-1 with a 1.69 earned run average in 28 games for the Brewers. He converted 16 of 18 save chances and held opponents to a .213 batting average.
In 49 games with Texas, Cordero went 7-4 with a 4.81 ERA and six saves. But, in his last 37 outings in the American League, he posted a 2.87 ERA.
Cordero's deal included a $500,000 buyout. The Brewers also will pay Derrick Turnbow $2.35 million next season. Turnbow, a National League all-star who collapsed in the second half (0-5, 11.29 ERA). That puts $7.75 million in two pitchers at the back end of the bullpen. The Brewers' payroll is projected to be around $60 million.
In other Brewers news, catcher Chad Moeller and relievers Joe Winkelsas, Allan Simpson and Chris Mabeus elected their free agency. Right-handed reliever Chris Spurling was outrighted to Class AAA Nashville.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
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