Blue Jays signed RHP Francisco Cordero to a one-year, $4.5 million contract.

The deal was reported last week, but wasn't made official until Wednesday. Cordero struggled to find a job this winter and ultimately settled for a set-up role with the Blue Jays after the Reds signed Ryan Madson to serve as their closer. The 36-year-old right-hander posted a 2.45 ERA and 37 saves as the Reds' closer last season, but his fastball velocity and strikeout rate were both on the decline. He likely won't be relevant in mixed leagues unless Sergio Santos struggles or hits the disabled list.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Blue Jays and Francisco Cordero have agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract, pending a physical.

The Angels, Orioles and Phillies were also mentioned as possibilities over the past few days, but Cordero will head to Toronto where he'll set-up for Sergio Santos. The 36-year-old right-hander posted a 2.45 ERA and 37 saves as the Reds' closer last season, but his fastball velocity and strikeout rate were both on the decline. The American League East might not be the best place for his decline phase. The addition of Cordero would presumably end the Blue Jays' trade talks with the Rangers for right-hander Koji Uehara.

Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Angels, Orioles, Phillies and Blue Jays are pursuing free agent reliever Francisco Cordero.

It's fair to assume these are likely the four finalists that were mentioned by Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com earlier in the day Monday. Cordero would probably get an opportunity to save some games in Baltimore, but he'd likely have to settle for a set-up role with the other three potential destinations. Look for him to sign by the end of the week.

According to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com, Francisco Cordero expects to pick a team by the end of this week and the Angels are one of the finalists.

The identities of the other three clubs aren't known, but Gonzalez was told that one of them is a "championship-contending team" who would like to use him in an eighth-inning role. The Rays aren't one of them. Cordero, who turns 37 in May, posted a 2.45 ERA and 37 saves with the Reds last season, but also averaged a career-low 5.43 K/9.

According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, the Angels are likely to add a late-inning reliever before Opening Day and have expressed interest in free agent Francisco Cordero.

Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto has been coy about the possibility of adding another reliever recently, but with the market for Cordero deteriorating, they could get him at a bargain rate. The 36-year-old right-hander posted a 2.45 ERA and 37 saves with the Reds last season, but his fastball velocity and strikeout rate are both on the decline. Jordan Walden projects as the Angels' closer, but it's not clear if the addition of a "proven closer" like Cordero would change things.

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles have shown interest in free agent Francisco Cordero.

Many assumed that Jim Johnson would get a chance to close this season, but apparently the Orioles aren't sold just yet. Cordero is looking for work after the Reds signed Ryan Madson last week. The 36-year-old right-hander posted a 2.45 ERA and 37 saves last season, but his fastball velocity and strikeout rate are both on the decline. Kevin Gregg is under contract for $5.8 million this season, but Connolly adds that the Orioles are open to trading him and absorbing some of his salary.

Reds GM Walt Jocketty is hoping to come to some sort of resolution this week with Francisco Cordero.

The Reds have likely made their final offer to the free agent closer, and will either secure him for 2012 or move on to other options. Cordero, 36, posted a 2.45 ERA and 37 saves last season for Cincy, but he has a declining strikeout rate and has lost some velocity on his fastball. Jocketty is likely hoping that he'll sign back on the cheap.

According to MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez, the Angels have checked in on free agent Francisco Cordero.

Gonzalez hears that the Halos might only be on the "periphery" of Cordero's market for now, perhaps waiting until his price drops. The 36-year-old right-hander posted a solid 2.45 ERA and 37 saves last with the Reds, but his fastball velocity and strikeout rate are both on the decline. He's telling interested teams that he wants to remain a closer.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that he isn't willing to offer Francisco Cordero a guaranteed two-year contract.

Cordero's agent, Bean Stringfellow, said Tuesday that his client has multi-year contract offers on the table, but Jocketty confirmed that the Reds aren't among them. "We're looking at one year or one year with an option," said Jocketty. "That's all it could be, right now -- one year guaranteed." There aren't many closing opportunities left around baseball, so it would be a surprise if Cordero can find a lucrative multi-year deal at this point. If he ends up signing elsewhere, the Reds could turn to the recently-acquired Sean Marshall for ninth-inning duties in 2012.

Francisco Cordero's agent, Bean Stringfellow, told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com on Tuesday that his client is drawing interest from multiple teams.

"We're still talking with [Cincinnati] and a couple of other clubs," said Stringfellow. "We're making progress on a lot of fronts. Multi-year contracts are definitely involved. The Reds are involved and are still interested in bringing him back. I am talking with them on a regular basis." Things may have changed in the past few days, but Reds' general manager Walt Jocketty said last week that Cordero had a one-year offer on the table from the club. The 36-year-old right-hander lost a potential suitor when the Red Sox acquired Andrew Bailey from the A's last week, but it's possible the Angels could still have interest.

John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer believes that the Reds current offer for Francisco Cordero is worth $7 million or less on a one-year contract.

Fay also notes that the Reds made a two-year offer that Cordero declined which he believes was worth roughly $14 million, so it's unlikely that he would return after leaving a multi-year contract on the table. Cordero, 36, reportedly has at least ''a couple of other offers,'' but the market for closers is drying up. Boston, a potential suitor, traded for Andrew Bailey earlier this week.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said Francisco Cordero has a one-year offer on the table to return to Cincinnati.

The Reds declined CoCo's $12 million option for 2012, but they'd like him back at a lesser rate. The list of potential landing spots for the closer has been reduced even more after the Red Sox landed Andrew Bailey, but Jocketty said Cordero has other offers on the table. "We've made an offer," Jocketty said. "He's deciding what to do. He's got a couple of other offers." John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer thinks that if CoCo bolts, the Reds will just go with Sean Marshall in the closer role.

According to John Tomase of the Boston Herald, the Red Sox are backing off free agent closer Francisco Cordero.

The Red Sox were willing to do a multi-year contract under the right circumstances, but felt uncomfortable given the combination his age, asking price and declining strikeout rate. Cordero posted a 2.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 37 saves over 69 2/3 innings this season, but averaged a career-low 5.43 K/9. The 36-year-old right-hander is still drawing interest from multiple teams, including the Reds. As for the Red Sox, they may have to turn to free agent Ryan Madson or continue trade talks for the A's Andrew Bailey.

Francisco Cordero's agent, Bean Stringfellow, told Alex Speier of WEEI.com that his client is drawing interest from four clubs, including the Red Sox.

"With the interest we've received, we've been exploring multi-year deals and we're very confident that's where we're going to end up," said Stringfellow. "The teams that we've spoken to, none of them have balked at that of the four remaining clubs." Stringfellow declined to name all four teams, but the Red Sox, Angels and Reds are believed to be three of them. Cordero, 36, posted a solid 2.45 ERA and 37 saves this past season with the Reds, but his strikeout rate and velocity are in decline. The Red Sox are open-minded about their closer situation, but the veteran right-hander would likely be a poor fit in the American League East.

According to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, the Red Sox have "increased dialogue" with free agent Francisco Cordero.

The Reds declined a $12 million option on Cordero at the end of the 2011 season, but they're hoping to bring him back at a lesser rate and might represent Boston's primary competition. The 36-year-old right-hander registered a cool 2.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 37 saves in 69 2/3 innings this past season for Cincinnati. He's likely seeing a two-year deal worth about $10 million annually.

The Reds are expected to revisit talks with Francisco Cordero about returning to the team next season.

Multiple teams have expressed interest in Cordero, but the market has proven to be wary of his declining strikeout rate. The Reds passed on his $12 million option this offseason, but the 36-year-old is still hoping to score a multi-year contract after posting a 2.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 37 saves over 69 2/3 innings. If he returns on a one-year deal, it will likely be with the Reds.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, free agent closer Francisco Cordero is "in waiting mode."

The closer's market has slowed down, according to Rosenthal, and Cordero is going to wait to see how it shakes out. "Interest of clubs later may hinge on how they fare in other areas," writes Rosenthal. The lengthy list of teams who have shown some level of interest in CoCo over the winter include the Reds, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Marlins, Dodgers, Angels, and Mets. Of course, some of those teams have since signed closers of their own. The Reds declined the $12 million option on Cordero after the season, but the 36-year-old right-hander is still hoping to score a multi-year contract after posting a 2.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and and 37 saves over 69 2/3 innings this season.

According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, the Red Sox are among seven teams who have shown interest in free agent closer Francisco Cordero.

The lengthy list of teams also includes the Reds, Blue Jays, Marlins, Dodgers, Angels, and Mets. The Reds declined the $12 million option on Cordero late last month, but the 36-year-old right-hander should be able to score a multi-year contract this winter after posting a 2.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and and 37 saves over 69 2/3 innings this season. However, with his strikeout rate in decline, he has severe bust potential.

Francisco Cordero's agent said Monday that his client has drawn interest from "seven or eight teams."

"We've had probably seven or eight teams inquire with interest, a couple of more since Papelbon's deal," said agent Bean Stringfellow. "It's all ongoing and it's still early." The Reds are expected to attempt to bring Cordero back, but they'll likely back out quickly if the price gets too high. The 36-year-old righty posted a 2.45 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 69 2/3 innings this year.

Reds declined Francisco Cordero's $12 million option for 2012.

The Reds deemed Cordero's option too pricey, but still hope to re-sign him at a lesser salary. The 36-year-old right-hander posted a 2.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 37 saves over 69 2/3 innings this season, but averaged just 5.43 K/9.