"Francisco Cordero, the Blue Jays' newest reliever, spoke eloquently about the closer's role, the new bullpen he's joining and former Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto.

"He's one of the nicest guys, a hard worker and plays hard every day," Cordero told reporters Wednesday.

Asked if he'd make time to visit Votto's statue, Cordero answered: "I will go, find a statue of Joey, get a picture taken with me in it and send it to him."

Of course there isn't a statue of the Etobicoke first baseman.

Not yet.

Yet check back in a few years, especially if the Reds make the former National League MVP winner and his $17 million US contract for next season available at the end of the season and the Jays acquire the home town hero."