Wednesday, November 24, 2004
The Tribe now is expected to go after a quality starter.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Free agent closer Bob Wickman signed a one-year deal Wednesday and returned to the Indians, whose shaky bullpen without him early last season cost them any chance of winning the AL Central.
Financial terms were not immediately available. Wickman made $6.3 million last season, his fourth with Cleveland.
The club declined to pick up Wickman's $5 million option for next season in October.
But after the Indians were unable to land a quality closer at their price, they decided to bring back the 12-year veteran.
Having filled one of their biggest needs, the Indians are now expected to pursue a quality starter. Matt Clement, Jon Lieber, Russ Ortiz and Matt Morris are among those drawing interest.
Wickman's 79 saves since coming to Cleveland in a 2000 trade from Milwaukee puts him fourth on the club's career list.
Elbow surgery
He sat out the entire 2003 season after reconstructive elbow surgery and missed the first three months last season. While the 35-year-old right-hander was sidelined, Cleveland's relievers were just 13-of-32 in save chances. The Indians finished 32-of-60 in save opportunities, but were 19-of-28 with Wickman as the closer.
Wickman considered retiring after last season, but after talking with his family he decided to keep playing. He also spoke with the Milwaukee Brewers, who wanted to use him in a setup role.
After beginning the season on the disabled list, Wickman rejoined the Indians on July 3 and made his season debut three days later -- his first appearance in nearly two years. On July 28 he got his first save since July 20, 2002.
He went 0-2 with a 4.25 ERA in 30 appearances, but finished strong. He converted his last 12 save chances from Aug. 5 through Oct. 3 when he picked up his 13th save by closing out the Minnesota Twins in the season finale.
The club explored the free-agent market for a closer and had scheduled a visit with Troy Percival last week, but the right-hander signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Detroit Tigers.
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