With two teams to pick from in the American League Central, Kerry Wood appears to have rejected overtures from Detroit to take a deal with Cleveland.
Wood's decision to sign with the Indians followed closely Francisco Rodriguez's agreement with the New York Mets. Rodriguez's three-year deal, which is expected to be announced after he passes a physical, narrowed down Wood's choices. The deal is believed to be two years with a vesting option for a third. Money terms remain unclear.
Wood fills a hole Cleveland has had at the back of its bullpen since the breakdown of Joe Borowski, a former teammate of Wood's with the Cubs. It allows Jensen Lewis to remain in a set-up role.
The Indians' spring training move from Florida to Goodyear, Ariz., was a factor because Wood lives in the Phoenix area.
Because they didn't offer him salary arbitration, the Cubs will not receive any compensation from Wood's signing.
Rodriguez is expected to receive $37 million over three years with a fourth-year vesting option at $14 million. He had been seeking almost twice as much after racking up a record 62 saves but was hurt by the presence of established closers with the Yankees and Red Sox. ...
Davey Johnson will be named to manage the United States in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, with Marcel Lachemann his pitching coach. Among the players the U.S. team is considering is White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin. ... Ben Sheets has drawn interest from the Yankees and Texas. The Yankees are putting together a two-year, $26 million offer for him -- a sign that they are no longer confident about signing CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett or Derek Lowe. ... Braves manager Bobby Cox is talking about John Smoltz returning to a starter's role. Smoltz and Tom Glavine are both free agents but the Braves want to sign them if they can prove they are healthy heading into camp. Smoltz is far ahead of Glavine, who isn't expected to throw off a mound until January. ... Infield prospects Brandon Waring and Justin Turner were keys for Baltimore in the deal that sent Ramon Hernandez to Cincinnati for Ryan Freel. ...
Randy Johnson remains on the Cubs radar in case the Jake Peavy deal falls through. ... The Cubs are sending Naoto Masamoto, their video coordinator and a former minor-league strength coach, to Japan next week to work with Kosuke Fukudome. ... Former Cub Jacque Jones is playing in Mexico, but isn't expected to return to the majors. ... Tampa Bay DH Cliff Floyd is rehabbing his right shoulder after suffering a torn labrum in the postseason. He wants to return in 2009, but may have to get a minor-league invitation. ... Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro rewarded Charlie Manuel and picked up the option for 2010 on his contract and added a guaranteed year for 2011 -- basically giving the manager a three-year deal. Manuel led the Phillies to their first championship since 1980.
