Indians Wedge's contract extended 2 years

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) -- Cleveland signed manager Eric Wedge to a two-year contract extension Wednesday, keeping him under contract with the Indians until 2007.

The extension also includes a two-year club option through 2009.

``Eric has consistently demonstrated his strengths as a leader for our team and organization,'' general manager Mark Shapiro said. ``I am happy that we can secure his position as our on-field leader for the next three years.''

Wedge, 37, led the youngest team in the American League in 2004 to an 80-82 record. After going 68-94 the previous year, the Indians had five players on the 2004 AL All-Star team and were within one game of first place in the AL Central on Aug. 15. Bench coach Buddy Bell, hitting coach Eddie Murray, pitching coach Carl Willis, third-base coach Joel Skinner, first-base coach Jeff Datz, bullpen coach Luis Isaac and bullpen assistant Dan Williams all had their contracts or options extended through the 2006 season.

I think this is a great move, Wedge has been with this group of players since the minors and he did an excellent job last year developing these kids.

 

[LoKyBuckeye]

It is a great move. Wedge is young and the team is young. They can both grow togther and build a quality team that will (hopefully) go back to making playoff runs every year.

 

[Nate]

I like the move. I think he's done a good job over the past two seasons. Especially last season. Going 80-82 with a bullpen that gave up 25 leads after the 7th inning was great.