Cordero to set up for Toronto: FOXSports.com reports Tuesday that the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a one year,. $4.5 million deal, pending a physical, with RP Francisco Cordero. Cordero is expected to set up for Sergio Santos. (Updated 01/24/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Cordero took a deal to become a setup man? Seems like he may have preferred to play for a winning team than close for a losing one. In either case, he may still end up being the ninth-inning guy for the Blue Jays down the road if Santos falters. Unless that happens, though, Cordero will only be a viable Fantasy option in Fantasy leagues that care about setup men. (Updated 01/24/2012).
09/14/2011 09:24 By the Numbers: The art of sealing the deal
Look a little more closely at your relievers. Their stats aren't always as full-proof as they seem. Al Melchior examines closers and how lucky or unlucky they've been this season in By the Numbers.
09/13/2011 10:35 Sliders: What the future has in store
Being as close to the end as we are, our Scott White takes some time to reflect on the past in an effort to see the future a little more clearly in this week's Sliders.
09/04/2011 17:57 Francisco's four-hit day helps Reds down Cards
Juan Francisco capped a career-best four-hit day with the go-ahead hit in the 10th inning and the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2, taking two of three from a team desperately trying to stay in contention.
09/02/2011 23:39 Reds end Cardinals' four-game win streak in slugfest
Juan Francisco hit a three-run homer and drove in five runs, and the Cincinnati Reds beat St. Louis 11-8 to end the Cardinals' four-game winning streak.
Francisco Cordero's signing with the Blue Jays this offseason shows just how differently front office types view the closer role these days. Not too long ago, a pitcher coming off a five-year span in which he averaged 38.8 saves would be a slam dunk for ninth-inning duties the following year, especially if he just had a bounce-back season in which he produced a 2.45 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. Still, when the Reds turned the page to Ryan Madson, Cordero couldn't find a team willing to install him into his most familiar role, so he settled for a setup role with the Blue Jays. The issue is he's 36, and though his base numbers looked good last year, his strikeout rate was the lowest of his career. He compensated with an improved walk rate, but the bottom line is he's more hittable now. And hittability is the last thing a team wants from its closer. Cordero could still find himself working the ninth inning if something goes wrong for newly acquired Sergio Santos, but Santos owners have no need to guard against that worst-case scenario outside of AL-only leagues. (Updated 2/1/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start