CLEVELAND -- Free-agent reliever Keith Foulke is expected to
finalize a one-year contract on Thursday with the Cleveland
Indians, a deal the club hopes will turn into a longer stay for the
right-hander.
Foulke, a World Series star for the Boston Red Sox in 2004, took
a physical with the Indians earlier this week. The 34-year-old has
battled back, elbow and knee injuries the past two seasons.
The Indians wanted to take a careful look at Foulke's medical
profile before giving him a contract that could include a mutual
option for 2008.
As long as he's deemed healthy, Foulke will join a revamped
Cleveland bullpen that has been overhauled this offseason with the
additions of Joe Borowski, Roberto Hernandez and Aaron Fultz -- all
of whom agreed to one-year deals.
Foulke will compete with Borowski, who had 36 saves last season
for the Florida Marlins, in spring training for the closer's job.
The Indians had a major league-low 24 saves last season.
In 2004, Foulke had 32 saves for the Red Sox and he got the
final out in Game 4 when the club completed a sweep of St. Louis to
win its first World Series title since 1918.
Foulke made 44 relief appearances last season, but was taken out
of the closer role in favor of rookie Jonathan Papelbon. Foulke
went 3-1 with a 4.35 ERA but missed two months with tendinitis in
his elbow.
He made 11 consecutive appearances without giving up a run, but
in November the Red Sox decided not to exercise a $7.5 million club
option.
Foulke has a 41-34 career record with a 3.30 ERA and 190 saves
in 588 games in 10 seasons. He has pitched for San Francisco, the
Chicago White Sox, Oakland and Boston. Foulke was an All-Star in
2003 when he led the AL with 43 saves for the Athletics.
Before the 2004 season he signed a three-year, $20.25 million
deal with the Red Sox.
The Indians also remain interested in left-hander Mark Mulder,
who has reportedly narrowed his choices to Cleveland, St. Louis and
Texas.
Mulder is coming off shoulder surgery that ended his 2006 season
with the Cardinals and is not expected to be ready to pitch until
June.