Sloooooow progress, but an update today from cleveland.com:
http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1167298788204960.xml&coll=2
Indians nearing deal with Foulke
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
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 elbow and back problems the last two seasons with Boston.
"We've had a lot of positive and con structive dialogue 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.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158
