A lot has been made of the Toronto Blue Jays’ closer situation this offseason, from losing Kevin Gregg, potential ninth-inning man Scott Downs and one-time 30-save guy Jeremy Accardo to reaching a deal with Toronto main-stay Jason Frasor to the acquisitions of Frank Francisco, Octavio Dotel and Jon Rauch. That’s a lot of star power both leaving and entering Toronto’s bullpen. But what few have been talking about is another pick up in former Washington Nationals closer Chad Cordero.

Cordero joined the Washington Nationals (then the Montreal Expos) in 2003, and even recorded a save, but wasn’t officially made the closer until partway into the 2004 season. However, he became a premier save collector in 2005 when he recorded 47 saves with a 1.82 ERA. From 2005 to 2007 he recorded 113 saves overall, second in the National League only to Trevor Hoffman over that time frame. He has 128 career saves to this point with a 2.89 ERA in 330.1 innings, all in relief.

Cordero missed most of the 2008 season with a labrum tear, then after recovering he spent portions of 2009 and 2010 with the Nationals, Seattle Mariners and New York Mets before becoming a free agent again after the 2010 season. However, the biggest blow to his career came last December when his 11-week-old daughter Tehya succumbed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Cordero is still very shaken by the loss, but is using Tehya’s memory as motivation to continue building arm strength and returning to the major leagues as a valuable member of a bullpen.

Cordero signed a minor league contract with the Jays just after the New Year and has been battling for a spot with the team. Recent injuries to Dotel and Francisco have opened up spots, but it’s still not likely Cordero will break camp with the team. But if there’s one thing Toronto is known for, it’s for having a plethora of exceptional arms available to them, and with motivation like Cordero’s, the situation in Toronto only looks that much better.