Kerry Wood is the Cleveland Indians’ new closer.
The former Chicago Cubs star completed a $20.5 million, two-year contract Saturday, a deal that includes a 2011 option that could become guaranteed.
Wood saved 34 games in 2008, his first season as Chicago’s closer. He reached a preliminary agreement with the Indians during the winter meetings in Las Vegas. Wood, who has a long history of arm and elbow problems, had to pass a physical before the Indians would go forward.
The 31-year-old pitcher was confident the Indians wouldn’t find any red flags in his medical records.
“There was no doubt in my mind,” he said from his home in Arizona. “I was just worried they would need a dolly or two to get them over to them. It was pretty thick.”
Wood gets $10 million next year and $10.5 million in 2010. The Indians’ $11 million option kicks in if the free agent has 55 games finished in either of the next two years.
The Indians went into the offseason with a closer as their top priority. After Francisco Rodriguez agreed to a $37 million, three-year deal with the New York Mets, they turned their attention to Wood, a former top starter who has revived his career in the back end of the bullpen.
“Kerry was our No. 1 choice,” Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said. “I’m not sure there was anyone available who we would want to pitch the ninth inning for us. He fits our culture perfectly.”
Wood is 77-61 with a 3.65 ERA in his 10-year career, all with the Cubs.
Royals sign Farnsworth.
Reliever Kyle Farnsworth and the Kansas City Royals agreed on a $9.25 million, two-year contract.
“Kyle Farnsworth’s power arm blends in well with the rest of our bullpen,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “We feel his presence will impact our bullpen.”
Farnsworth was traded July 30 from the New York Yankees to Detroit for catcher Ivan Rodriguez. The hard-throwing right-hander went 2-3 with a 4.48 ERA and one save in 61 appearances overall last season, then filed for free agency.
K-Rod sends early message to Phillies.
Francisco Rodriguez has a message for the Philadelphia Phillies and the rest of the National League East.
“Of course, we’re going to try to win the division. Of course, we’re going to be the front-runner. Of course, we’re going to be the team to beat,” he said.
Four days after agreeing to a $37 million, three-year contract, K-Rod was confident the New York Mets will put consecutive September collapses behind and overtake the World Series champion Phillies in ruling the NL East.
“I don’t want there to be a controversy or the other ballclubs in that division to take it personally or take it in a bad way,” he said. “If they ask me, ‘Oh, which ballclub is going to win the National League East?’ It’s going to be the Mets.”
On Thursday, Phillies ace Cole Hamels took a shot at the Mets.
“For the past two years they’ve been choke artists,” he said on WFAN radio.
Miles, Flores not offered.
Infielder Aaron Miles and veteran reliever Randy Flores became free agents Friday when the Cardinals did not offer them contracts for 2009.
Pitcher Tyler Johnson also was not offered a contract.
Nationals sign 13 players.
Outfielder Ryan Langerhans and infielder Pete Orr were among 13 players who agreed to minor-league contracts with the Nationals.
The Associated Press
