Phillies Rumors: RP Jimmy Cordero Traded To Nationals

Feb 26, 2016; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jimmy Cordero (72) poses for a photo during photo day at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The Phillies have dealt the organizations 25th rated prospect, hard throwing right hander, Jimmy Cordero. Did the team give up on Cordero to soon?

This afternoon the Phillies announced that they’ve traded relief pitching prospect Jimmy Cordero to the Washington Nationals for cash or a PTBNL.

Cordero, the teams 25th rated prospect, was acquired by the team during the 2015 trade deadline when the Phils traded OF Ben Revere to the Toronto Blue Jays for Cordero and Alberto Tirado.

Cordero peaked with the Phillies after his arrival. In his first 13 appearances with Reading, Cordero posted a 2.12 ERA and 9.5 K/9. He steadily topped 100 MPH, and showed closer potential with a devastating slider that followed.

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Injuries are going to be what hindered Cordero’s future in Philadelphia. After last season, the team protected Cordero and his electric arm from the Rule-5 draft by adding him to the 40-man roster, however this time around his arm injuries were too risky for the team to keep him on considering the amount of talent the team added to the 40-man.

Cordero was waived last week, but it just goes to show his potential that the team was able to anything for him (before entering waivers in which he would’ve been claimed) considering his injuries and poor showing in 2016.

If Cordero every remains healthy and learns how to throw strikes, this one may come back to haunt the Phillies, to whatever extent. Don’t expect it too, but the chance that it could does exist.

As mentioned, Cordero wasn’t placed on the 40-man roster last week so no corresponding move is required. However, here’s another example of GM Matt Klentak not wasting a players value.

The Nationals could’ve risked not giving anything up (whatever the return ends up being), and hoped that Cordero would fall to them through waivers, as well as the Phillies. This not only shows Cordero’s value, but Klentak’s ability as a GM.

Klentak knew Cordero would be claimed by a poor team, so before he entered waivers, he dealt him to a good team with no chance at Cordero through waivers. Now the Nationals have an intriguing prospect, and the Phillies got a return for a player they were bound to lose for nothing.

Next: What Follows The Phillies 40-Man Roster Decisions?

Matt Klentak has again showed he is not wasting a players value, this trend could definitely continue. With that in mind, stay tuned to TBOH for all the latest team updates this offseason.

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