DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Foulke may sign with Tribe today (Report from Boston)

Gordon Edes, of the Globe, is reporting that Foulkes is expected too sign today with a team. He reports the free agent is close too striking a deal with the Tribe. I will welcome the move, and hope it is true. If he is healthy, he could solidify the back end of the pen.
The rumor is at the bottom of the Patriot day article.

Boston Globe Patriot Day article

i'd feel alot better having Foulk closing for the tribe, his problems were knees, arm was still strong, ...This would be a great addition to our bullpen... <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

the more depth the better.

Oh, you guys will just love him <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

While he isn't a long term solution, I will welcome this signing. He was lights out last year in late August and September, and as previously stated, his injuries were knee problems, not arm. I will feel much better with insurance on Borowski and vice versa. I still contend that we need to develop a young closer in house, that way we aren't forced to overpay for some bum that has injury problems every offseason. Look at Oakland, they are a small market team, and for years they don't have to worry about the closer position because of Houston Street. I say we try out Adam Miller, he's got the arm and our rotation is currently filled. JMO.

google his name and Burger King sometime...see what comes up

I actually thought Foulke was a safest of a shaky crop of closers this offseason. Foulke was very good when he came back healthy, and while there is a good deal of risk involved, I'd say that it is less risk than that Gagne deal, or some other ones this offseason. A Foulke/Borowski combo for late inning is reassuring. This also means that Roberto Hernandez will have limited innings (which is good for a 42 y/o) and a strong middle relief group of Betancourt, Hernandez, Fultz, and Cabrera could make this a pretty decent bullpen if the pieces fall right. Assuming the money isn't astronomical, I like it a good amount.

Thats probebly the plan, but he will have to start out closing in Buffalo, we saw last year what can happen when ya try out a new closer in the bigs....I still have nightmares of that boston series....

You aren't serious about Miller closing, right? You realize that a starter has a lot more value than a closer and Miller is one of the top 3-7 pitching prospects in baseball. If he is ready for the majors and isn't in the rotation and a person like Paul Byrd (or even Cliff Lee) is, Shapiro and Wedge have officially lost their minds. If you are looking for young closers in waiting, look at Cabrera or (further down) Scott Lewis. Making Adam Miller a closer is not a good idea unless his arm proves to be a big injury risk. Otherwise, you simply aren't maximizing your value on him.

Right, I was agreeing to the plan, not the player....We do need to develop a closer form within if possible an was just stating they might be and should be starting to do this in Buffalo, not the bigs.

The Tribe is definitely going all the way now!! <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Yes! This was the signing I was hoping for. With the shakey reliever market that was out there, this was probably the top signing we could get. I think he's an upgrade over Wickman, and now we've got a decent 1-2 punch in Borowski and Foulke. We also avoided Gagne, who I was worried about picking up.

We've now got 4 new relievers to help shore up the bullpen (2 of the better ones in free agency too), and a good second baseman in Barfield that Padre fans didn't want to see go. About the only thing we could use now is a power right handed bat to pair up with Hafner. On paper, we don't look half bad going into the season.

John Telich from Fox in Cleveland reported that the Tribe is in the running for Mark Mulder. Apparently, the Tribe made an offer & Mulder's agent countered. It is between the Tribe & the Rangers. Mulder wouldn't be ready to pitch until probably May/June. Looks like Shapiro is trying to find "lightning in a bottle" again with the "all injured" team. With ALL of these options, I gotta think that a couple of these guys are gonna stick. I like the fact that Shapiro is putting forth the effort to shore up areas of weakness with the budget that he has to work with. One thing I will say is that Shapiro has had some luck taking a chance resurrecting "dead arms" like Howry, Wickman & Millwood, but then again, there also were the Danny Graves/Steve Karsay "experiments".

I was hoping the Tribe would trade for Jeff Conine. That really would've took them to the next level <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

foxsports story on Foulkes

Foulke would be fourth new Indian reliever
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Ken Rosenthal / FOXSports.com
Posted: 19 hours ago

The reconstruction of the Indians' bullpen continues.

Free-agent right-hander Keith Foulke is leaning toward signing with Cleveland, though a deal likely will not be completed until after Christmas, FOXSports.com has learned.

Foulke, 34, received multi-year offers, according to a source, but he is expected to sign a one-year contract with the Indians, possibly with a player or mutual option.

His agent, Dan Horwits, has informed other interested clubs that Foulke is close to a deal, and that they should pursue other options.

Its not a done deal, but the outlook looks good for us too ink him. I would love too have Keith here in Cleveland, if we are able too close the deal. When he is on, he is unhitable, kind of like Doug Jones, when he was here and going good. I would like too see them groom Sipp for the closer role, for 2008 or 09.

Good stuff! He would deffinatly help the back end of the pen. I would like a 3 year deal though but seeing he had some problems I see why it's for one. I just don't want him to be lights out and using us as an audition for other clubs next year.

To be honest, Graves and Karsay were washed up before coming here. Guys like Howry, Millwood, and Wicky all were good before their injuries. Graves and Karsay were just flat out washed up before they signed with us though. There are plenty of other failed relievers that fit that bill though. I can't remember the guys name off hand but he was supposed to be a closer like 3 or 4 years ago, there were two of them.

Washed up is right.

Well, the ChiSox just traded one of their bright, young stud pitchers, Brandon McCarthy (who I think was supposed to take Freddie Garcia's place) to Texas so maybe Mulder is closer to being a member of the Tribe.

Noooooo, Mark Mulder is a bumb!!

He walk to K ratio has gotten worse every single season the past 3.

Last year AND the year before he walked MORE guys than he struck out, and he was in the NL!!!!!


This would be a TERRIBLE move for the tribe, why do we need a terrible starting lefty anyway??

Unless, of courtse, this is a one year deal, or he can prove he isn't so bumish.


Either way, I hope we don't sign him.

I don't like this "leaning toward" business. Sounds to me like he's shopping the Tribes offer around. I'll believe it when he signs and not before. <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I think he's "leaning toward" Cleveland because the places that he wants to play, I believe Arizona or Texas (closer to his home), don't want him and the Tribe is the only one with an offer on the table.

Exactly! If he gets a better offer from some other club he won't be "leaning toward" Cleveland anymore. So often it seems like the Tribe is just a bargaining chip so I won't believe these reports until he signs. I hope he does. I think his potential upside is well worth rolling the dice but I'll not hold my breath for him to sign here.

Yea, dont blame ya. This reminds me of Trevor Hoffman.

Now if we can find a couple of guys who can actually catch a ground ball we will be in good shape. Hope Barfield is the real deal and hope Perhalta takes off season workouts seriously and improves his D. I miss Omar.

j/c

If Mulder does sign, that leaves us with 6 starters - C.C., Lee, Westbrook, Byrd, Sowers and Mulder. If this is the case, we would definitely be making another trade that would include either Lee, Westbrook or Byrd.

I'm still hoping we can somehow trade one of those three plus a prospect or two for Carl Crawford. He could bat leadoff, Grady moves to third in the order. With Pronk behind Grady in the order, Grady will put up MVP-type numbers...

With Westbrook being a free agent next year, I'm betting he would be the one the Tribe would move. After Gil Meche got the money he signed for, I'm thinking Westbrook's gonna want an arm & a leg!

Rumors in the ST. Louis Today, report Foulke is still close too signing with the Tribe. A new rumor about our interest in Aubrey Huff also surfaces. I don't see a need in Huff, but more of a luxury if there is any truth too the reported rumor.

. The last best lefthanded bat on the market, Aubrey Huff, has eased off his asking price and drawn attention from Texas and Cleveland, but seems a better fit for two other suitors, lefty-craving Pittsburgh and Baltimore. ... The closer who ended the 2004 World Series, Keith Foulke, hasn't been the same since ? but is reportedly close to signing a deal to join the drastically refurbished Cleveland bullpen.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/...BD?OpenDocument

There have been Aubrey Huff rumors for awhile now but I wouldn't read much into them. With the signing of Delluci and the fact that right handed power is what we have been looking for for a couple years, I don't think it will happen. Of course, if he brings his asking price down far enough and it ends up being worth it then who knows. Texas would be a better fit than here though. Huff down in Arlington with some of those bats surrounding him could have some career years.

Hopefully we can close the deal with Foulke. I'm starting to get very excited for next year. So far, the offseason has been quite productive. A new 2B with some speed and a ton of upside, 4 new relievers (3 of which have closing experience), and most importantly a fresh start.

Where would huf play?? 3rd? RF?

Marte...Blake?

Doesn't sound on paper to be a good fit.

Optimist, I have too agree with your optimism. We are in the toughest division in baseball imo, but I am getting excited about the approaching season. Nothing kills a young teams confidence like continual bullpen breakdowns, like we experienced last year. Foulke would go a long way, I think in making the bullpen a strength. Bullpens, are like the stock market. You never really know what it will bring when the bell goes off, but it looks good on paper, and it didn't look so good on paper last year.

I've always said that relievers are always a question mark going into a season unless they are truely an elite pitcher. That being said, at least we're trying to correct the solution. By adding 4 proven relievers we can do nothing but help out our bullpen which was by FAR our biggest weakness last season. If the bullpen can keep leads that our starters hand them it would do so much for this team. Add to that the confidence boost the posistion players get knowing that if they go out and get the lead, the bullpen will actually hold it.. This team has the talent to contend for a championship. They've been through a playoff run down the stretch and they've also been through a completely dissapointing season. They're so much more experienced. Remember the Cavs in Lebron's first 3 years? Basically the same amount of talent on each team but they all had to learn how to win and how to finish games. The first 2 seasons we miss the playoffs by a game and then the next season we're taking the defending champions to a 7th game and we could have very easily made the conference finals. I'm really looking for that kind of a leap from the Indians this year. I'm not worried about the other teams in our division. If the bullpen comes back strong from an absolutely terrible year we should be able to win every single time we take the field (except maybe every fifth day when Paul Byrd takes the mound <img src="/images/graemlins/rolleyes_devil.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> ).

Well, the first thing, too pop up in my head, is maybe they aren't sold on Marte. If someone is up for a suspension, that would maybe open something up. I like Blake, bouncing around, and I think he has a better glove. I don't really know where he would fit, unless something that isn't out yet, is going too effect the current makeup of the roster. I don't see us getting him, because it doesn't address a need. I guess if we got him below perceived market value, than a trade for a bona fide closer in July might be an option with Huff here. I don't know, I'm just thinking out loud per say.

That is an option, but trading huff for a closer would mean
A. we are out of it and are gearing up for next year

or B. a contender is willing to trade a middle releife/closer in the making type. I still wouldn't see that solving much.

But I can see your train of thought.

Just found this...






web page

Looks like Foulke is gonna sign, let's hope he can stay healthy.

Fox Sports - Ben Maller

Keith Foulke, conceivably the last addition to the Indians' new bullpen, continues to inch closer to Cleveland and a one-year deal. If an agreement is reached, it probably won't be announced until next week. The deal is contingent on Foulke's physical exam - which he is yet to take - and the Indians determining the amount of risk and dollars they're willing to invest in him. Foulke, 34, had knee, right el bow and back problems the last two sea sons with Boston. "We've had a lot of posi tive and con structive dia logue with Keith's agent," said Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro. "But we still have a lot of ground to cover."

Posted December 28, by Ben Maller

I want him to close for us if he is healthy. A proven, AL closer. Sign me up ** If healthy**

Foulke in Cleveland for physical & Tribe signs a couple bums...

CLEVELAND -- Free agent reliever Keith Foulke arrived Tuesday to take his physical for the Cleveland Indians, the final step before the club can complete a one-year deal with the right-hander.

Foulke and his agent, Dan Horwits, have been in talks for several weeks with the club, which is believed to be offering a mutual option for 2008.

If he passes his physical -- the team may not have complete results for a few days -- Foulke would give the Indians another option at closer.

The club has already signed free agent Joe Borowski to improve a bullpen that had a major league-low 24 saves in 2006. Borowski had 36 saves in 43 chances last season for the Florida Marlins

The 34-year-old Foulke went 3-1 with a 4.35 ERA but no saves in 44 games in 2006 for the Boston Red Sox, but lost his closer's job to rookie Jonathan Papelbon. Foulke was slowed by elbow and back troubles last season.

Two years ago, Foulke saved 32 games for Boston and fielded Edgar Renteria's grounder for the final out as the Red Sox won their first World Series in 86 years. In November, the club chose not to exercise its $7.5 million option.

Also on Tuesday, the Indians agreed to minor league contracts with free agent infielders Luis Rivas and Keith Ginter and invited them to their spring training camp.

The 27-year-old Rivas has a .262 career average with 30 homers, 177 RBI and 78 steals in 565 games with the Minnesota Twins from 2000-05. He had his best season as a rookie in 2001, batting .266 with seven homers, 47 RBI and 31 steals in 153 games.

Rivas hasn't played in the majors since 2005, when he hit .257 before becoming a free agent.

After signing with Tampa Bay last January, he spent the season with the Devil Rays' Triple-A affiliate in Durham, N.C. He missed the first two months with a broken knuckle that required surgery.

The 30-year-old Ginter spent last season with Oakland's Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento. He batted .268 with 13 homers and 68 RBI in 114 games. Ginter has also played for Houston and Milwaukee.

hopefully foulke can bounce back to what he was able to do with boston a few years ago... he was rock solid...

if we can get that from him, look out for the tribe...

having borowski in the pen makes things awesome too, lots of depth now...

If he looks iffy at the physical, don't sign him mark!