Does This Mean Tom Gordon Is A Yugo?

Phillies GM Pat Gillick is semi-famous for doing a lot of his player scouting in person, and it's a rather open secret that the Phils could use an upgrade at the closer position.

Under these circumstances, this item from Jayson Stark's latest column is quite intriguing:

One scout who has been following the Nationals has this review of closer Chad Cordero: "He's Eddie Guardado. You watch him and you say, 'Oh my god.' But somehow, he does it." Admirable as it may be, though, to have a closer who just guts his way through the ninth, Cordero's lack of pure stuff will make him tough to trade for the two or three impact arms the Nationals have asked back for him. "I don't have a problem paying for a Cadillac as long as I'm getting a Cadillac," the same scout says. "I like Cutlasses, too. But they don't price them like Cadillacs."

At Gillick's age, he might personally prefer a Buick, but he's certainly got enough money surplus arms for a real Caddy (that zigs!). And despite my "No more Mariners" moratorium, I would much rather prefer this guy.

Myers for Putz: quick, do it before the Braves get in the picture!

Rumblings and Grumblings, 4-26-07 [ESPN]