[schwab]

Mailbag: Can Cordero be a leader? | reds.com: News

I have to disagree about offering David Weathers another deal. After watching a large portion of the games this last year, it seemed like the only reason he was around was to be a "veteran presence" for the young guys. Why can't Francisco Cordero be the man the young pitchers look up to? Couldn't he be the galvanizing force of leadership for the pitchers?
-- Steven H., Liberty, Ind.

I know fan perception is completely the opposite of the numbers. Weathers was solid the past two years and that's the main reason he was still around. There is a long list of quality "veteran presence" people that have been jettisoned and/or had their contracts eaten by the club over the years because they didn't produce. As for Cordero, he quickly assimilated himself during his first year in Cincinnati. He often held court in the clubhouse with many of the young Latin pitchers and players.

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Francisco Cordero notched 34 saves last year in his first season with the Reds. (John Grieshop/Getty)