Fox Sports.com's Ken Rosenthal is reported that former Red Sox closer Keith Foulke is close to signing a 1-year deal with options with the Cleveland Indians. Several other teams are said to have offered multi-year deals, but, reportedly, Foulke's agent, Dan Horwits, has advised the other clubs that Foulke will likely sign with Cleveland. It was earlier thought that Foulke would want to sign with a club closer to his home in Arizona.
The 34-year old Foulke was 3-1 with a 4.35 ERA in 44 appearances with the Bosox last season, but has been plagued by injuries the past 2 years, and hasn't closed since the Red Sox' world championship season in 2004. Foulke posted a 2.04 ERA in his last 15 appearances in 2006 after coming off the disabled list with tendonitis in his right elbow.
If Foulke does sign with the Indians, it would represent another major upgrade of the Tribe's bullpen, which was one of the worst in the major leagues last season. General Manager Mark Shapiro has already signed former Cubs and Marlins closer Joe Borowski, veteran righthander Roberto Hernandez and lefthanded specialist Aaron Fultz to offseason deals. Foulke would likely come into spring training as the leading candidate to be the closer, especially since the Indians did not promise Borowski the closer's role when Boroski signed. However, since both Boroski and Foultz have some question marks about their health, a spring training competition between the two for the closer's role is a possibility.
The Foulke signing is expected to be completed sometime after Christmas.
