The Seattle Mariners quite possibly signed their closer today, Chad Cordero, a former Washington National with 128 career saves. Born in 1982, he is by no means old but still has time for fine tuning, especially in a city where the closer role has always been determined by great minds.

Norm Charlton, Brian Fuentes, Kazuhiro Sasaki, Eddie Guardado, and J.J. Putz have all been the Seattle Mariners' closer in prior years. Going into 2009, the Mariners came into the season without a known closer for the first time in years.

Sure Cordero might not be named the closer yet, but I would be willing to place a bet that he is going to have at least two-thirds of all closing duties for the Seattle Mariners in 2009.

On one of the most under-rated teams in the league, it makes sense for Cordero to sign, but the minor-league part of the contract surprised me.

Here's a list of potential closers for the 2009 season; the younger players might make a play for the duties mid-season.

Chad Cordero
Mark Lowe
Randy Messenger
Roy Corcoran
David Aardsma
Tyler Walker
Miguel Batista
Shawn Kelley
Joshua Fields
Cesar Jimenez
Justin Thomas

No other team has even come close to the Seattle Mariner's depth in any category. Second base is probably their thinnest position, and they still have three potential starters that could take the reigns in a second's notice.

In 2005, Cordero compiled 47 saves, a 1.82 ERA, and 61 strikeouts in 74.1 innings, which resulted in him winning the Relief Pitcher of the Year Award and the 2005 Washington Nationals Most Valuable Player. On a team that included Jose Guillen, Christian Guzman, and Nick Johnson, that is a fairly prestigious award.

Can Cordero repeat those 2005 stats in 2009 for the Seattle Mariners? If given the opportunity by the potent Seattle Mariners I believe he could—maybe even better on a team with a higher chance of winning than the Nationals.