Cordero, 2007 Closer?

The issue that is most immenent for the 2007 Red Sox is the closer situation. We have very lack luster option. Some internal options could end well, while other internal options have very low ceilings and are all but doomed to failed. If we decide to pick from the inside it seems to be an option between Craig Hansen, Joel Pineiro, Mike Timlin, Craig Breslow and Devern Hansack. None of those are exactly screaming "closer" but potential can be found in some of those.

Hansen, Breslow, and Hansack look like the best options just because of the potential. Timlin and Pineiro (no matter what people tell you) have very little upside.Hansen has really good k/9 rates in college and his time in AA. Sadly, last year his K/9 rate dropped to 7.11. If those numbers don't improve he really wont be able to cut it but i expect an improvement in 2007. Hansack is a long shoot but he looks like he could do it. He has yet to play in AAA, which means that he will at least start the season there unless he can wow the team. He has been a starter for most of his career which means his numbers are harder to translate as a reliever. He could be anywhere from a flop to a strike. He has a good ERA and WHIP, his strikeouts could improve but they are bound to improve if he continues to act as a reliever. Neither of these guys are likely, but the Sox are getting to the point of desperation.

Breslow has done nothing to say he couldn't cut it in the closer role. His ERA has been under 4 at every level including time in the majors. His WHIP has been a little too high in his 2 stints in the majors but in Pawtucket this year he posted a great WHIP. He was averaging a strikeout every inning, which is pretty solid reliever and he can only improve on all of this. It is going to be a struggle for this to happen because the pen is already stacked with average veteran arms that will be hard to replace. I hope Theo can see the potential and at least give him a shot in the pen.

So if none of these players seem very attractive what is the alternative? Chad Cordero seems to be the most realistic option for trade. The Nats are really interested in Wily Mo so a deal could be struck. Examining Cordero we see that he has potential. His neutralized stats are strong, with a long ERA and WHIP. He has alright strikeout rates, but he is defiantly at pitch to contact pitcher. In WXRL and ARP 16th and 31st respectively. Not very impressive and it only gets worse. Cordero pitches in an extremely friendly pitchers ball park and the NL East is no where near the hitters park that the AL East is.

So after looking at our options and the most likely outside option what is the verdict? Throw a dart at a board and see what hits. Any of these internal options could work and we wouldn't have to have them. Cordero is no lock and giving away a potential 40 player seems a lot for that amount have a better idea of whats working here and else where in the league. Maybe Lidge turns it around and that puts either him or Wheeler on the market. Possibly, players that have yet to be mention come as an option due to teams lack of success. Hey, maybe we find that diamond in the rough and we don't lose anything in a trade but rather keep our prospects and possibly flip them for some other missing piece. Patience is a virtue.