Indians News: Foulke, Mulder, Westbrook

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer checks in with various Tribe updates.

Keith Foulke still has to take his physical; the Indians probably won't reach an agreement until next week.  Foulke would team with Joe Borowski to take the eighth and ninth innings, which neither pitching three days in a row.

The Indians are waiting to hear back from Mark Mulder's agent on their reported two-year offer.  Should Mulder be signed and ready in May or June, it might allow for a trade.  Paul Byrd, Cliff Lee, or Jake Westbrook could be dealt to clear space.

There's also a chance the Indians sign Westbrook to an extension; they may speak on the topic before the season starts.  Westbrook will be a 30 year-old with probably four consecutive seasons of 210 innings; that should command $11-12MM and four or five years on the open market.

Comments

[Ankur]

Thanks for the post.

I hear that Westbrook openly stated he wants to test the market when the Tribe approached him for an extension, and I can't blame him for that. But maybe he is just gaining extra leverage with the team, who knows.

People say we wouldn't get a high return for Byrd, but at his salary he looks almost like a bargain. Lee is young, pretty cheap, a lefty, and has high upside, I'd expect something big fo r him.

I also doubt we land Mulder, though he may regret that later.

[kevybo1]

The Cubs should make a trade for one of the indians pitchers.

[Rayman]

And what do the cubs have that the Indians want?

[darkstar1661]

Its nice to think about that chance Kevy, but the truth is that if the Indians sign Mulder it will probably be the Cards (loser in Mulder bidding) who will trade for one.

Are we and Stl the only two in this anymore? I don't know of any other team with a serious offer anymore.

Oh, and isn't it crazy to think our Westy will possibly command $11mil, and possibly even more...

Lastly, I thought Foulke had been in town for med exams. Since he hasn't does that mean there is a chance of a deal for Lidge as a long shot?

Oh and forgot about the Byrd thing. Under $7 for a guy with his recent track record? I know that fans freak when they see numbers but his pitching was much better after the first month or two. Other GMs will see past his 2006 final numbers.