A Closer Look

So what does the Francisco Cordero signing mean big picture? Well, it gives the Reds the best closer in the NL Central. St. Louis closer Jason Isringhausen has had a very good career, and even had a nice bounce back year last season, but one would be foolish to take him over Cordero at this point in their careers. Matt Capps in Pittsburgh could end up having a decent career as a closer but it is much too early to tell, and chances are, if he does turn out to be dominant, he won't spend much time as a Pirate. If the Cubs stay with Ryan Dempster they will be luckily to return to the playoffs. Chad Qualls will most likely be the closer next season for the Astros. Qualls had a decent season in 2007, but will have to prove himself without Brad Lidge and Dan Wheeler with him in the pen. The poor Brewers are lost for a closer. With Cordero in Cincy, Derrick Turnbow is next in line and that's good news......for everyone but the Brewers. More than the closer, the Cordero move helps the entire pen. Last season's laughing stock, the bullpen in 2008 could possibly be a strength. If David Weathers, Jared Burton, and Cordero can repeat their performances from 2007 and Dusty Baker can plug them in during the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings respectively on a consistent basis, it could be the difference between 72 and 90 and the playoffs. Hopefully, that trio will make things easier for the likes of Bill Bray, Gary Majewski, and Todd Coffey. And if all my dreams come true perhaps the team can send a hat around the clubhouse to collect $2 million so the Reds can eat Mike Stanton's contract.