2012 MLB Free Agents: Red Sox Have Better Closer Options Than Andrew Bailey

While the Red Sox clearly have needs in their bullpen, trading for Andrew Bailey is not the answer that Boston should be looking for. 

While Bailey's a nice closer, he comes with plenty of baggage. The main problem with him is that he's been banged up over each of the last two seasons. If he's injury prone at 27, it's not going to get any better as time goes on.

The other problem with Bailey is that he's not going to come free. He's contracted with the Athletics right now, and Billy Beane is known for getting the most out of trades. Dealing with him for an injury prone closer is not something I would have any interest in doing. 

Still, Buster Olney of ESPN tweeted that the Red Sox are, in fact, interested in acquiring Bailey.

Better options exist.

Ryan Madson

Jon Heyman of CBSSports has tweeted that the Red Sox are interested in Madson.

For fans of the team, this has to be encouraging news.

Madson locked down 32 games for the Phillies last season and was a stellar setup man the season before. Since becoming a full-time relief pitcher in 2007, Madson's worst ERA was 3.26. Playing in a stadium like Citizens Bank Park in a short reliever's role, that is nothing short of stellar. 

Those numbers will translate to the Red Sox. This is a move that would instantly make the Red Sox a better team. Madson can pitch in the eighth or ninth inning. This is a move that the Red Sox must make.

Francisco Cordero

Unlike Madson, Cordero hasn't been tied to the Red Sox. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports tweeted that Cordero's market is thinning out. 

That's a great thing for the Red Sox. It means that they can get him low. The team that does that will get the steal of the Free Agent class.

Since 2004, Cordero has saved more than 30 games in every season but one. His ERA has been below 4.00, and that's playing exclusively in hitter's parks.

This is a market that the Red Sox need to be a part of. Cordero is a solid closer who has acquired most of his stats in bad pitching parks for bad teams. There's nothing about his past that suggests the numbers wouldn't translate to the Red Sox.

The Red Sox should really be in the hunt for both of these players. Unlike Bailey, it would just cost the team money. 

This duo would instantly turn the very unit that cost Boston a playoff spot in 2011 into its greatest strength in 2012.

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