[rjt721]

Surprising to see the Reds actually spending some money.

The Cincinnati Reds have reached preliminary agreement on a four-year, $46 million contract with closer Francisco Cordero, a baseball source confirmed to ESPN.com.

The deal, which includes a club option for a fifth year, is subject to Cordero passing a physical exam. The agreement was first reported by Foxsports.com.

Cordero, 32, has 177 career saves in nine seasons with Detroit, Texas and Milwaukee. He ranked second in the National League with 44 saves last season in Milwaukee and made the National League All-Star team.

The Brewers and Houston Astros were also pursuing Cordero before he signed with Cincinnati.

Cordero is the third prominent reliever to sign as a free agent this offseason. Mariano Rivera will return to the New York Yankees on a three-year, $45 million contract, and Scott Linebrink has agreed to a four-year, $19 million deal with the Chicago White Sox pending a physical exam.

In addition, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired closer Brad Lidge from the Houston Astros as part of a five-player trade.

Cordero helps upgrade a Cincinnati bullpen that went 23-31 last season and posted a National League-worst 5.10 ERA. David Weathers led the Reds with 33 saves, but has been a setup man for most of his major league career.

[zootiehead]

Wow. This is a shock.

[bigboydan]

It's good to see the Reds taking care of their pen issues and all, but thats a lot more than I would have gave me. What they should have been was signed Linebrink too.

[BuddyBear]

FC really started to fade the 2nd half of the season. he was putting up ungodly numbers in the 1H and then it sort of evened out. Even so, he is a high quality reliever/closers and should be a very good addition to a poor Red's bullpen.

The bigger question is for Brewer fans is Derek Turnbow going to be a closer again....i pray to God not.