December 13, 2008
Wood Indians
Kerry Wood
Photo: Icon SMI
The Indians satisfied themselves of Kerry Wood's health and completed the deal for the closer:
Wood, 31, passed his physical Thursday in Cleveland and the Indians signed him to a two-year deal worth an estimated $20 million. The deal, which will be announced later today, includes an option for a third year that contains a vesting mechanism.
Two years ago, it looked like the Indians owned two potential closers in the Rafaels, Betancourt and Perez. They were unable to step into Joe Borowski's shoes in 2008, however, so the Indians went for someone tested in the role at a higher cost.
When Wood is right, as he was in 2008, he strikes out a lot of batters, walks very few, and gives up a low number of home runs. In other words, he makes it difficult for an offense to generate consecutive hits, or generate the power that turn a mistake into two or three runs. If he stays healthy, this is an excellent signing by the Tribe.
