The Astros have released Francisco Cordero, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (on Twitter).
Houston acquired Cordero as part of a 10-player trade with the Blue Jays that also netted them Ben Francisco and five minor leaguers. Cordero was installed as Houston's new closer, but struggled mightily in five innings for the 'Stros. The 37-year-old allowed 11 runs on 13 hits before hitting the 15-day disabled list. He hasn't appeared in a game since Aug. 1.
Cordero signed a one-year deal worth $4.5MM late in January to serve as the setup man for new Blue Jays closer Sergio Santos. Neither Santos nor Cordero wound up latching onto the closer role in Toronto, however, as Casey Janssen emerged as the team's ninth inning stopper following Santos' injury problems and Cordero's ineffectiveness. Cordero endured far and away the worst season of his career in 2012, pitching to a 7.55 ERA in 39 1/3 innings thanks to a whopping nine homers allowed.
Cordero owns a 3.38 ERA, 8.7 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 over the course of 824 2/3 career innings. His 329 saves rank 12th all-time. He's just one save behind John Wetteland and 13 saves behind Rollie Fingers. If he ends up closing for a team again in his career, he could work his way into the all-time Top 10.
wade3061
That’s embarrassing.
Giorgi Almonte
Mets should pick him, and if he does well re sign him for next season…
Trout Almonte
You know you suck at your job when:
– You have a 7.55 ERA with more than 30 innings pitched
– Your WHIP is higher than 2
– Astros released you
Bob Hulsey
– When your ERA with the Astros is higher than Brain Bogusevic’s
Runtime
This is a joke… right?
HAH.
Slopeboy
Phil Hughes wants know ‘whats all the fuss about a whopping nine homers allowed?’
Let_My_Cameron_Go
Well, I guess the only place to go from here is… Sugar Land?
Justin 26
It’s hard to succeed while playing on a rebuild team! I wish a whole lot of luck finding a contenders team.
bigpat
It worked out so much better in Toronto…
He’s done.
Lunchbox45
the numbers going in to this season suggested as such as well
stroh
Cordero had injury problems which left him ineffective. I think he could still help a team that is willing to give him a chance, without a guaranteed roster spot, i.e. win a job in spring training.
andyr
Loved him with the Brewers. Would welcome him to come back back next year and compete for a spot in spring training. Couldn’t be any worse than what we got in there now.
GoCubsGo
I beg to differ
cedarandstone
Brewers dodged a bullet with that deal. Then again, we ended up with K-Rod.
andyr
What proverbial bullet did they dodge? They missed out on 4 more good years. And this year the bullpen has been garbage so how would it have been any different except having a better bullpen the last 4 years?
Mark Anderson
wanna bet?
mgsports
Dodgers? Giants?
letsgogiants
Why?
jondogg2010
To Keep Mota, Romo and a few others away from the buffet line.
Justin 26
Cards should pick him up.
john12121212
Horrible year. Stick a fork in him? No pun intended.
jondogg2010
maybe he should go to the Nippon Ham Fighters. Heh.
Goriax
lol… maybe Cordero requested his release when Mark Hamburger got released because he thought they meant there was no more hamburgers for the team? 🙂
R.D.
I’m not convinced he just randomly collapsed, Coco’s too good for that. I expect a rebound next year.
crashcameron
Reds fans were saying it, then Nats fans were saying it, those of us that saw him flame out with the Blue Jays can confirm, as it seems Astros fans. he’s done. baked. Coco is a crispy critter
1980CHAMPS
Just saw that Cordero had a near 20.00 ERA for the Astros. Ouch!
jondogg2010
I saw he pitched 18 innings and gave up 40 runs. Does that compute? Feel bad for anyone who put him in their fantasy lineup =O
Scott Reppert
Little known MLB rule limits the number of Francisco’s you can have on a team. Wonder how the Astros will play sans Francisco? I’m here all week…
Hal_Jordan77
The Astros traded Ben Francisco to Tampa Bay. So the Astros have gotten rid of all of their Franciscos.
They still have Dallas, but have jettisoned Austin. They’re rumored to be interested in acquiring Huston*(who ironically is from Austin).
* this last sentence except for the () is a complete fabrication and highly unlikely to happen but I’m sure they wouldn’t mind acquiring Huston.
jondogg2010
Ben C, don’t even think about it.
jondogg2010
Maybe him and John Kruk should stop being buffet table partners. Sheesh.
coldgoldenfalstaff
The Astros were forced to take Francisco and Cordero in the Toronto deal to balance salary. It’s no surprise that neither lasted the season with them.