Former Red Sox closer Foulke to sign with Indians?

Originally Posted by FOX SPORTS

The reconstruction of the Indians' bullpen continues.

Free-agent right-hander Keith Foulke is leaning toward signing with Cleveland, though a deal likely will not be completed until after Christmas, FOXSports.com has learned.
Foulke, 34, received multi-year offers, according to a source, but he is expected to sign a one-year contract with the Indians, possibly with a player or mutual option.

His agent, Dan Horwits, has informed other interested clubs that Foulke is close to a deal, and that they should pursue other options.

Foulke would be the fourth free-agent reliever signed by the Indians this off-season, joining right-handers Joe Borowski and Roberto Hernandez and left-hander Aaron Fultz.

Both Foulke and Borowski have significant experience as closers, but Foulke likely would be the leading candidate to pitch the ninth inning. When the Indians signed Borowski, they did not promise him the closer's role.

Foulke, however, has battled injuries the past two seasons, and has not closed regularly since helping lead the Red Sox to the World Series title in 2004. The Indians likely would wait to see how both Foulke and Borowski performed in spring training before deciding between the two.

Rookie Jonathan Papelbon replaced Foulke as the Red Sox's closer last season. Foulke went on the disabled list with right elbow tendonitis on June 12 and missed more than two months. After returning, he posted a 2.04 ERA in his final 15 appearances.

Ken Rosenthal is FOXSports.com's senior baseball writer.

Originally Posted by The Plain Dealer (Newspaper)

Keith Foulke, conceivably the last addition to the Indians' new bullpen, continues to inch closer to Cleveland and a one-year deal. If an agreement is reached, it probably won't be announced until next week.

The deal is contingent on Foulke's physical exam - which he is yet to take - and the Indians determining the amount of risk and dollars they're willing to invest in him. Foulke, 34, had knee, right el bow and back problems the last two sea sons with Boston.

"We've had a lot of posi tive and con structive dia logue with Keith's agent," said Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro. "But we still have a lot of ground to cover."

Foulke would be the fourth veteran reliever Shapiro has signed this off-season in an effort to repair one of the worst bullpens in the big leagues. Joe Borowski, Roberto Hernandez and Aaron Fultz all signed one-year deals.

If Foulke signs, he'd compete with Borowski in spring training for the closer job. In one form or another, Foulke and Borowski would own the eighth and ninth innings. One may be the primary closer, but based on their recent medical history, the other would also get a chance to close.

It's doubtful either one could close three days in a row.

Borowski failed a physical before the winter meetings with the Phillies because of the questionable health of his right shoulder. The Phillies wanted to sign him to a two-year deal. The Indians signed him to a one-year, $4 million deal with a club option for 2008.

Foulke's last big year was 2004 when he saved 32 games for the Red Sox. Borowski saved 36 last season for Florida.

Last year, the Indians had the fewest saves in the big leagues with 24. Borowski, Hernandez, Fultz and Foulke have a combined 599 saves. Hernandez, 42, has 326, but is no longer considered an everyday closer.

Foulke, who made $7.5 million last season, seemed to end the season healthy. He did not give up a run in September, pitching 11 1/3 scoreless innings in 11 appearances.

"Keith says he feels better now than he did before the 2004 season," said his agent Dan Horwits.

Shapiro is waiting to hear from Greg Clifton, agent for Mark Mulder. The injured left-hander should be close to making a decision on which team he'll sign with. It's believed the Indians have offered Mulder, who has a career record of 103-57, a two-year deal. He's recovering from surgery on his left shoulder and probably won't be able to make more than 25 starts this season.

Arizona, Texas, St. Louis and San Diego are also interested in Mulder. The Indians are using their good reputation for rehabbing pitchers and sending them on their way to bigger and better things in negotiations. If they signed Mulder, and he returned to past form, it would allow Shapiro to consider trading a starting pitcher.

Jake Westbrook is eligible for free agency after the 2007 season, but the Indians may approach him about a new deal before opening day.

Originally Posted by Rotoworld

Keith Foulke is expected to be guaranteed between $3 million and $4 million under the terms of his deal with the Indians.

If he passes his physical this week, he's likely to get a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2008.