AA St. Paul Saints

Former National League Saves Leader Chad Cordero Retires

Published on June 20, 2011 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN (June 20, 2011) - During his first few appearances Chad Cordero looked like he was on his way back to the form that earned him an All-Star spot with the Washington Nationals in 2005, but it was his last three that caused him concern and because of that the right-handed reliever has announced his retirement.

The 29-year-old didn't allow a run and gave up just two hits in his first four appearances with the Saints, but during his last three outings he was roughed up for nine runs in just 2.0 innings of work, including taking a loss on June 12 when he entered the game in the eighth with a two run lead and gave up four runs in 0.2 innings. He finished his time with the Saints going 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA in seven appearances. In 6.0 innings of work he allowed nine runs on 12 hits while walking two and striking out five and opponents hit .414 against him. Cordero joined the club on June 3.

Cordero spent seven seasons in the Major Leagues with the Montreal Expos, Washington Nationals and Seattle Mariners. He was a 2005 All-Star with the Nationals when he led the league in saves with 47. He finished fifth in the Cy Young Award voting and 14th in N.L. MVP balloting that year. During that career season he was 2-4 with a 1.82 ERA and 47 saves in 74 appearances. In 74.1 innings pitched he walked 17 and struck out 61.

Cordero was originally drafted in the 26th round of the 2000 June Amateur Draft out of high school by the San Diego Padres, but elected to go to Cal State Fullerton. The move paid off because in 2003 he was drafted in the first round (20th overall) by the Montreal Expos. It didn't take him long to reach the Major Leagues making his debut on August 30 of that same season. He proved he belonged immediately going 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA and one save in 12 appearances. In 11.0 innings pitched he walked three and struck out 12.

The numbers continued to dazzle for Cordero in the Major Leagues until he injured his shoulder in 2008 and underwent major surgery to repair a torn labrum on July 8.

In 2009 he signed with the Mariners and began his comeback pitching a total of 14 games between the Rookie League in Arizona and Low-A Northwest League. In 2010 he pitched at Triple-A Tacoma and in the Major Leagues with the Mariners, going 0-1 with a 6.52 ERA in nine games. The Mets signed him to a free agent contract that season and he pitched in 17 games at Triple-A going 1-1 with a 1.69 ERA in 17 games.

Cordero began this season with the Toronto Blue Jays organization and pitched at Triple-A Las Vegas where he went 0-2 with an 8.66 ERA in nine games.

The Saints roster stands at 21, one shy of the league maximum 22, nine pitchers and 12 position players.

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