The Reds have signed closer Francisco Cordero to a 4-year, $46 million dollar contract with a team option of $11 bucks for 2012. Cordero pitched in 66 games last season for the division rival Milwaukee Brewers and he was 0-4 with 44 saves, a 2.98 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He also whiffed an amazing 86 batters in only 63.1 innings pitched. Cordero will give the Reds a dependable closer for the first time in years. They still will likely be open to bringing back David Weathers to be the set up man if he has an interest in that role. Cordero has now pitched in 470 career games in the majors and he is 26-27 with 177 saves, a 3.29 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Cordero has now worked 506 career innings and he has allowed 454 hits, walked 231 batters and whiffed 528.

The Reds will pay Adam Dunn $13.5 million bucks for the 2008 season but he’s worth it. He played in 152 games last season for the Reds and he was 138 for 522 (.264 avg, .940 OPS) with 101 runs scored, 40 homers and 106 RBIs. Dunn has now played in 973 games for the Reds and he is 833 for 3,354 (.248 avg, .900 OPS) with 620 runs scored, 238 homers and 572 RBIs.

The Reds have decided to pick up Scott Hatteberg’s option for the 2008 season at $1.65 million bucks. Hatteberg played in 116 games last season for the Reds and he was 112 for 361 (.310 avg, .868 OPS) with 50 runs scored, 10 homers and 47 RBIs. Hatteberg likely won’t get as many at bats in 2008 due to Joey Votto’s arrival to the Reds, but he still will have value as a pinch hitter and part time starter at 1B.

The Reds have picked up a $1.3 million dollar club option to retain Javier Valentin’s services for the 2008 season. He deserves it because he has played well in his career for the Reds. Valentin played in 97 games last season for the Reds and he was 67 for 243 (.276 avg, .715 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 2 homers and 34 RBIs.

The Reds have decided to decline Eddie Guardado’s $3 million dollar option for the 2008 season. Guardado pitched in 15 games last season for the Reds and he was 0-0 with a 7.24 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. In 13.2 innings last year he allowed 16 hits, walked 4 batters and whiffed 8.