CLEVELAND -- Seven years ago, Mark Wohlers helped beat the Cleveland Indians in the World Series. Now, he'll try to get them back to one.

	Mark Wohlers Relief Pitcher Cleveland Indians Profile
	2001 SEASON STATISTICS GM W-L IP H BB/K ERA 61 4-1 67.2 69 25/54 4.26

Wohlers, once one of baseball's premier closers before losing control of his pitches, agreed Wednesday to a $4 million, two-year contract with the Indians, who will use him in a setup role.

"He reinforces our bullpen, which we think is the strength of our club," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said. "We've had considerable interest in Mark for a while."

Wohlers nearly signed as a free agent with the Indians before last season, but the right-hander stayed with Cincinnati and pitched in 30 games before the Reds traded him to the New York Yankees.

Wohlers, 31, went 1-0 with a 4.54 ERA in 31 games with the Yankees, and made one appearance in the AL championship series against Seattle.

Shapiro said Wohlers' contract was structured around Cleveland's financial constraints. Owner Larry Dolan is hoping to trim payroll by $15 million for next season.

The Indians gave Wohlers an $800,000 signing bonus and will pay him the minimum $200,000 in 2002. He'll make $2 million in 2003 and the club has an $8 million option for 2004 with a $1 million buyout.

Wohlers could earn an additional $2 million in performance bonuses if he becomes Cleveland's closer.

As an All-Star in 1996 with the Braves, Wohlers helped Atlanta capture the '95 Series. He got the save in the decisive Game 6 win over the Indians.

But his career took a downward turn in 1998 when he lost the ability to throw strikes and the Braves trade him to the Reds in '99 for pitcher John Hudek.

Wohlers overcame an anxiety disorder causing his wildness and was pitching well in the Reds' minor league system before hurting his elbow and needing reconstructive "Tommy John" surgery.

He didn't pitch in the majors for more than a year before getting into 20 games for the Reds in 2000. Wohlers had six poor outings all last season, recording a 1.73 ERA in 62 1/3 innings over 55 games.

"Not only is he over the control problems, but his velocity has continued to pick up," said Shapiro. "He's pitched two years successfully without any problems and he's a strike-thrower."

With their decision to move reliever Danys Baez into the starting rotation for next season, the Indians needed to add another quality back-end reliever.

They think Wohlers, who will likely share setup duties along with right-hander Paul Shuey and lefty Ricardo Rincon, can do the job.

Wohlers could also be used in save situations to give closer Bob Wickman a break, Shapiro said.

"With Rincon, Wohlers, Shuey and Wickman, we have as good a back four (bullpen pitchers) as anyone in baseball right now," Shapiro said.

The Indians followed Wohlers' progress throughout last season, and heard good things about him from Gary Denbo, New York's former hitting instructor, and now a scout with Cleveland.

Shapiro said he also consulted with Reds first baseman Sean Casey, a former Indian, about Wohlers.

Wohlers only re-signed with the Reds last season out of loyalty after Cincinnati helped him through his comeback from surgery, said Shapiro.

Wohlers had 112 saves during his nine years with the Braves, who selected him in the 1988 amateur draft.