The Reds hold a $12 million option on closer Francisco Cordero. They want him back. He wants to stay. So it makes sense that they’re in talks with him right now over his future with the team. A future that, given that they’re talking and not just exercising the option, probably means a two-year deal at a lower per annum.
Cordero has had a pretty darn good year for the Reds, with a 2.53 ERA and a 0.975 WHIP in 66 appearances. While a $12 million outlay for a closer is a lot, the failure of Aroldis Chapman to build on his 2010 success likely has the Reds mindful of how valuable a sure-thing closer can be. And if they can break that money up over a couple of years it will be much easier to take.
