rmonsta
12-13-2008, 07:51 PM
The Cleveland Indians have their closer.
The club announced Saturday that it has signed righthander Kerry Wood to a two-year contract with an option for the 2011 season.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reported the contract to be worth an estimated $20 million.
After battling back from shoulder problems that limited him to 14 starts from 2005-07, Wood enjoyed a resurgence as the Chicago Cubs' closer last season, converting 34 of 40 saves and posting a 5-4 record with a 3.26 ERA over a career-high 65 relief appearances.
"The signing of Kerry Wood brings to the Cleveland Indians a powerful presence in the back of our bullpen and in our clubhouse," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said. "Kerry fills our need for a closer and fits our team's culture perfectly as he is a dominant talent and an outstanding teammate and person."
Wood, 31, has spent his entire 10-year major league career with the Cubs, compiling a 77-61 record with a 3.65 ERA in 276 games, including 178 starts.
The oft-injured righthander burst onto the scene in 1998, tying a major league record with 20 strikeouts in just his fifth career start as he went on to win National League Rookie of the Year honors.
The signing of Wood should go a long way in fixing Cleveland's bullpen issues, which played a significant role in the team's mediocre 81-81 record last season.
The Indians - considered a serious AL contender by some entering 2008 - began last season with Joe Borowski in the closer's role, but he struggled early and blew four saves in his first 10 attempts.
Borowski, who led the AL with 45 saves in 2007, was released in July and the Indians used several pitchers in the closer's role, including righthander Jensen Lewis, who saved 13 games down the stretch.
The club announced Saturday that it has signed righthander Kerry Wood to a two-year contract with an option for the 2011 season.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reported the contract to be worth an estimated $20 million.
After battling back from shoulder problems that limited him to 14 starts from 2005-07, Wood enjoyed a resurgence as the Chicago Cubs' closer last season, converting 34 of 40 saves and posting a 5-4 record with a 3.26 ERA over a career-high 65 relief appearances.
"The signing of Kerry Wood brings to the Cleveland Indians a powerful presence in the back of our bullpen and in our clubhouse," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said. "Kerry fills our need for a closer and fits our team's culture perfectly as he is a dominant talent and an outstanding teammate and person."
Wood, 31, has spent his entire 10-year major league career with the Cubs, compiling a 77-61 record with a 3.65 ERA in 276 games, including 178 starts.
The oft-injured righthander burst onto the scene in 1998, tying a major league record with 20 strikeouts in just his fifth career start as he went on to win National League Rookie of the Year honors.
The signing of Wood should go a long way in fixing Cleveland's bullpen issues, which played a significant role in the team's mediocre 81-81 record last season.
The Indians - considered a serious AL contender by some entering 2008 - began last season with Joe Borowski in the closer's role, but he struggled early and blew four saves in his first 10 attempts.
Borowski, who led the AL with 45 saves in 2007, was released in July and the Indians used several pitchers in the closer's role, including righthander Jensen Lewis, who saved 13 games down the stretch.