Reds go loco for Coco

The King of Country Music -- George Strait -- once sung, "It ain't cool to be crazy about you."

Well, to paraphrase for the Cincinnati Reds, it ain't cool to be loco for Coco.

No, not Coco Crisp. Instead, it's reliever Francisco "Coco" Cordero, who agreed in principle to a four-year, $46 million contract with the Reds.

I'm all for people finding ways to move up in the world -- financially, career-wise etc. But this is a gamble the Reds should have avoided.

First, Cincinnati's home park -- Great American Ball Park -- is a homer haven. Cordero is a pitcher who, once he faces some adversity, usually takes some time to rediscover his dominant side.

Such a fragile psyche may work in a low-pressure environment like southern Ohio, but it will be interesting to see what happens with Coco if one of those routine fly balls in most parks becomes another home run in that bandbox.

In a free-agent market devoid of truly stellar relievers, Cordero, who was equally great and galling during his tenure in Texas, was the best out there. Color me surprised to hear he will be wearing red and white next season.