BASEBALL MEETINGS Wickman agrees to contract

The Indians re-signed the veteran closer to a one-year deal.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Closer Bob Wickman agreed to a $5 million, one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians Wednesday night, hours after the club failed to lure Trevor Hoffman from the San Diego Padres.
By giving Wickman to a new deal, the Indians avoided going to salary arbitration with the 36-year-old All-Star, who tied for the AL lead with a career-high 45 saves this year.
More importantly, the Indians finally have their closer for next season after unsuccessful attempts to sign B.J. Ryan and Hoffman, who agreed to a $13.5 million, two-year contract with San Diego that includes an option for 2008.
Wickman, who made $2.7 million last season, may have been able to triple his salary had he gone to arbitration.
"We are pleased to return Bob Wickman to the back end of our bullpen," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said. "Having Bob return as our closer satisfies one of our stated offseason needs and better defines the roles of the returning members of our bullpen."
Although it was a high-wire act almost every time he took the mound, Wickman anchored a Cleveland bullpen that posted the lowest ERA (2.80) in the majors and kept the Indians in the playoff race until a final-week collapse.
Wickman's 45 saves were the second most in club history, and his 124 saves with Cleveland trail only Doug Jones (129) for the club record.
No arbitration for Clemens
The NL champion Astros refused to offer salary arbitration to seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens, which means they can't re-sign him until May 1. The 43-year-old right-hander hasn't decided whether he will retire or pitch next season, and the decision by his hometown team could lead to other clubs trying to sign him.
Hoffman decided to accept a $13.5 million, two-year deal with the Padres. An option year in 2008 could hike the value of the closer's deal to $19 million.
"I'm just really happy that I'm not having to traipse my family across the country, although it was a tremendous opportunity with the Cleveland Indians," Hoffman said. "It came down to me making a decision for my family and not disrupting what we have going on."
Facing deadline
Longtime Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams faced the deadline, too. New York would like him back in a reserve role.
"We're going to try to exhaust the situation with the Yankees before we move forward," agent Scott Boras said.
Boras also represents Johnny Damon. The Red Sox would like their center fielder back, but Boras is seeking a seven-year contract in the neighborhood of $84 million. Boras said Damon was in Dallas earlier this week to meet with teams, but would not specify which the clubs.
"I'll have to say it's very much in the air where Johnny Damon's going to be next year," Boras said.
Thomas on way out
The Chicago White Sox refused to offer arbitration to two-time AL MVP Frank Thomas, who was injured much of the last two seasons. The World Series champions re-signed Paul Konerko last week and acquired Jim Thome to be their designated hitter, leaving no room for the Big Hurt.
San Diego said catcher Ramon Hernandez was headed to the Baltimore Orioles. Hernandez needs to pass a physical before his four-year contract can be finalized.
There were six trades on the third day of the winter meetings, the most notable involving the payroll-paring Florida Marlins. Center fielder Juan Pierre was the latest to join the migration, going to the Chicago Cubs for right-hander Sergio Mitre and two minor league pitchers.
Pierre followed Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, Guillermo Mota, Carlos Delgado, Luis Castillo and Paul Lo Duca out of Florida, which has cut about $45 million of payroll since the end of the season.
Braves deal Kolb
Atlanta sent failed closer Dan Kolb back from whence he came. The Braves, who acquired him from Milwaukee during last year's winter meetings, dealt him to the Brewers for pitcher Wes Obermueller. In another deal, Braves catcher Johnny Estrada went to Arizona for pitchers Lance Cormier and Oscar Villarreal.
San Diego dealt third baseman Sean Burroughs to Tampa Bay for pitcher Dewon Brazelton, and second baseman Mark Loretta to Boston for catcher Doug Mirabelli.
Among free agents, shortstop Rafael Furcal and the Los Angeles Dodgers finalized their $39 million, three-year contract, and outfielder John Mabry agreed to a one-year deal with the Cubs worth $1,075,000.
In re-signings, the Mariners kept left-hander Jamie Moyer with a $5.5 million, one-year contract, the Dodgers retained backup infielder Olmedo Saenz with a $2 million, two-year contract and Texas agreed to a $600,000 contract with pitcher John Wasdin.