Indians, Casey Blake near new contract

If he doesn’t sign he’ll go to arbitration on Feb. 11.

GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE

CLEVELAND — The Indians have not gone to arbitration with a player since Greg Swindell in 1991, and it appears they may keep that streak alive.

Jim McDowell, agent for third baseman Casey Blake, said the sides are close to agreeing on a one-year contract for 2008. An arbitration hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

“Both sides have come quite a ways,” said McDowell, who submitted his most recent counterproposal Thursday morning. “There’s not a huge gulf between where we are right now.”

Blake asked for $6.9 million when he filed for arbitration. The Indians countered with $5.4 million. He earned $3.75 million in 2007.

The 34-year-old is 34 days shy of the major-league service time needed to file for free agency. He would be required to accept the outcome of the arbitration hearing and remain with the Indians.

McDowell said he hoped the team would discuss a multiyear contract, but it was not to be.

“The Indians were not interested in anything beyond this year,” McDowell said. “The probably believe they have Andy Marte and some other, less expensive options at third base. We were surprised they weren’t interested in moving forward on a multiyear deal. Later on, it gets a heck of a lot more complicated.”

Blake has been a versatile contributor for the Indians. He started at third base in 2003 and 2004, moved to right field in 2005 and 2006, then began last season at first base. When Marte didn’t pan out, Blake moved across the diamond, and Ryan Garko was installed as the first baseman.

Right-handed reliever Rafael Betancourt also was eligible for arbitration. The Indians signed him to a two-year, $5.4-million contract last week.

“There are still some strong opinions on a few issues,” McDowell said. “It doesn’t make sense to continue arguing over the same points. We’ll have to see how things pan out.”

Former Baltimore closer Jorge Julio signed a minor-league contract with the Indians on Thursday and was invited to big-league spring training.

The right-hander, who turns 29 in March, saved 83 games for the Orioles from 2002-04. He pitched in 67 games for Baltimore in 2005, 62 games for Arizona and the New York Mets in 2006 and 68 games for Florida and Colorado last summer.

His career numbers are 13-33 with 99 saves and a 4.35 ERA. He was 0-3, 3.93 in 58 games for the Rockies in 2007, striking out 50 in 53 innings. Julio is from Caracas, Venezuela.