Francisco Cordero

[Cowtipper]

Francisco Cordero has pitched in the big leagues since 1999. In his 13-year career, he had appeared in 753 games, earned 327 saves, finished 557 games, posted an ERA of 3.17 and an ERA+ of 145.

Currently, he is second among active pitchers in saves and games finished and fifth in games pitched. He is 12th, 20th and 59th all-time in those categories, respectively. He has saved over 30 games seven times and over 40 games three times. Four times has he appeared in over 70 games and five times he has finished over 60 games. He has been an All-Star three times and in 2004, he received MVP votes.

Statistically, he is similar to Jeff Montgomery, Armando Benitez, Robb Nen, Troy Percival, John Wetteland, Rod Beck, Randy Myers, Tom Henke, Jason Isringhausen and Todd Worrell. He is #505 on the Fan EloRater, ahead of Bryn Smith, Al Brazle and Bob Buhl, but behind Matt Morris, Larry Cheney and Stan Bahnsen.

Here are some career projections, using Bill James' Favorite Toy:

55-60 W-L
964 G
741 GF
444 SV
993 IP
869 H
380 R
341 ER
449 BB
932 K
3.09 ERA

What do you think about Francisco Cordero? When all is said and done, should he be a Hall of Famer? Does he have Hall of Fame potential?

[PVNICK]

What's with you and the relievers, in general I mean? There's a pretty good argument that if you aren't Mariano, or presumably Hoffman, don't even bother when it comes to one inning closers. I can't say I disagree. As for Cordero: Lee Smith and Billy Wagner, to name two, are miles above him. But this is a discussion that has beeen had other times in other threads. Cordero seems to me to be a run of the mill good closer, subjectively I would have him in the middle to the back of that group you listed.

[ol' aches and pains]

I knew Cordero was a pitcher, and I was pretty sure he was a reliever, but I had to look him up on baseball reference, I couldn't have told you what team he was on. So that would be a no.

[Freakshow]

A solid career, probably among the top five or six closers of this century. Always a live arm, it took him until age 27 to gain command and get his career on track. He received little support in the poll for All-Decade Team: 2000s – Relief Pitchers. Only had one year, 2004, where he was of Mariano quality. His only HOF shot is to become a Hoffman-like compiler and get above 500 saves, meaning in his next five years he has to maintain or exceed the quality of the last five. Since he turns 37 next month that's a tall order, but not impossible.

[Cowtipper]

What's with you and the relievers, in general I mean? There's a pretty good argument that if you aren't Mariano, or presumably Hoffman, don't even bother when it comes to one inning closers. I can't say I disagree. As for Cordero: Lee Smith and Billy Wagner, to name two, are miles above him. But this is a discussion that has beeen had other times in other threads. Cordero seems to me to be a run of the mill good closer, subjectively I would have him in the middle to the back of that group you listed.

I dunno, it always seems that relievers are under-appreciated and/or under-discussed.

[Cowtipper]

I had Cordero right on the outermost periphery of my Hall of Fame 'maybe' list--everything had to go right for the guy for the rest of his career for him to develop of a Hall of Fame case. He had already compiled his way to 300+ saves and looked like he was on pace for more...

...but then, this year happened. The Astros released him the other day, a move that could end his career. He's 37 and it will be hard for him to find another job.

[Cowtipper]

He recently retired, officially. Did he do enough to earn a vote for the Hall of Fame?