Francisco Cordero converted 44 saves in 51 chances in 2007 and had an ERA below three. Cordero was one of the most touted relief pitchers in the league at the end of the 2007 season and he received offers from several teams. Cordero decided to go for the money, signing a contract with the Cincinnati Reds. The Milwaukee Brewers had offered a four year $42 million contract with an option for a fifth year. Instead, Cordero packed his bags and moved to Cincinnati, taking their four year $46 million offer - also with an option for a fifth year.
So the Brewers, who were already looking for bullpen help, had to find a new closer via free agency or trades. On November 20th, the Brewers traded Johnny Estrada, who had been in a little yelling match with Ned Yost in the dugout during the previous season, to the Mets for Guillermo Mota, who had in 2006 a two year $5 million contract. Then, on December 5th, the Brewers signed former Kansas City Royal David Riske to a three year deal worth $13 million with a year option. Two days later the Brewers traded for Salomon Torres and sent two top pitching prospects to the Pittsburg Pirates. Torres is in the final year of his two year, $6.5 million dollar deal, with an option for a third year. On December 9th, the Brewers signed a one-year $10 million deal with former Dodger closer and Red Sox blunder, Eric Gage. On January 9th the Brewers re-signed lefty specialist Brian Shouse to a one-year $2 million dollar deal. At the time, it seemed that Shouse would most likely be used in a closer by comity role. The Brewers also had Derrick Turnbow on their roster, who in 2006 had signed a three year $6.5 million contract. Let’s not forget that Turnbow holds the record for the most saves by a Brewer in a season, 39, and was an All-Star in 2006.
