Closers provide an opening

Here comes the avalanche of free-agent signings, and the first domino was toppled by Francisco Rodriguez.

The 26-year-old reliever, who had a record 62 saves last season with the Los Angeles Angels, is headed for the New York Mets, a spot the Mets absolutely had to fill.

And it feels like a real win to the Mets, who got the best guy on the market with just a three-year deal for a little over $12 million per season. Closers generally don't get super-long deals, but three years is a relative bargain, and proof that baseball is tempering its spending during this recession.

Not everybody is feeling that K-Rod is the ultimate answer in Flushing, however.

The deal isn't done yet, and neither is the deal done for Kerry Wood. But it appears the Indians - another team that desperately needed a closer - will land the former Cubs phenom.

I love this deal for Cleveland. This is a team that tried several pitchers at closer after Joe Borowski flamed out, yet was one of the hottest teams in baseball the last two months. They were one game from the World Series in 2007, have lost only CC Sabathia from the core of the team, and Wood has plenty of upside.

Look for the other top closer on the market, Brian Fuentes, to find a home soon. The St. Louis Cardinals could be the front-runner.