Francisco Cordero's US$5.4 million option was
exercised Friday by the Milwaukee Brewers, who acquired the closer
from Texas in a mid-season trade that sent Carlos Lee to the
Rangers.
The 31-year-old right-hander assumed the closer's role from
Derrick Turnbow. Cordero converted 16 consecutive save opportunities
before blowing his last two chances in the final week of the season.
He made 28 appearances for the Brewers, going 3-1 with a 1.69 ERA
and the 16 saves.
``Francisco did a great job for us and pitched like the all-star
closer he was in 2004 (with Texas),'' Brewers general manager and
Canadian Doug Melvin said.
If Cordero's option had been declined, he would have received a
$500,000 buyout.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
