Indians nearing deal with Wood

By Jon Heyman and Tom Verducci, SI.com

Kerry Wood has pitched his entire 11-year career with the Chicago Cubs. Chuck Solomon/Sports Illustrated

The Cleveland Indians are closing in on a two-year deal with free-agent closer Kerry Wood that is believed to be worth close to $20 million, SI.com has confirmed.

Wood has pitched his entire 11-year career with the Chicago Cubs, but the Cubs said they would not re-sign Wood this offseason after they made a trade last month to acquire reliever Kevin Gregg from the Florida Marlins.

Wood had not been a closer until this past season, when he notched the first save of his career. He finished with 34 saves, and was named to the All-Star team, but he also made yet another trip to the disabled list, this time for a blister.

Wood had been wanting to sign with a team that trains in Arzizona, and the Indians are opening a new facility out there next year after moving their spring complex from Winter Haven, Fla.

The market for closers has finally started to move, with Francisco Rodriguez agreeing to a three-year contract with the New York Mets.