Indians close to deal with closer Wood

via. MLB.com

LAS VEGAS -- The Indians appear to have filled their hole at closer during these Winter Meetings.

But they're not talking about it.

MLB.com has learned that the Indians are on the verge of signing free-agent right-hander Kerry Wood to a two-year contract with an option for a third year. Multiple sources confirmed the deal will probably be consummated in the next few days. The exact financial terms being discussed were not immediately known, but reports indicate the two-year guarantee might be worth $20 million total.

The 31-year-old Wood, once a starting phenom, is coming off an '08 season with the Cubs that was his first in the closer's role. He went 5-4 with a 3.26 ERA and 34 saves in 40 chances over 65 appearances, striking out 84 batters and walking 18 in 66 1/3 innings.

Signing Wood would mean the Indians would push 24-year-old Jensen Lewis, who saved 13 games in as many opportunities down the stretch in '08, back into a setup role, joining left-hander Rafael Perez.

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