Free agent reliever Joe Nathan and the Detroit Tigers have agreed on a new two-year contract, the team announced Wednesday.
Contract details were not released, but the club holds an option for the 2016 to keep Nathan if it so chooses. He’ll likely remain as a closer with his new team.
Negotiations with Nathan ratcheted up after the Tigers failed to work out a deal with former San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers closer Brian Wilson, shortly after trading right-hander Doug Fister to the Washington Nationals.
The 39-year-old Nathan appeared in 67 games in 2013 with the Texas Rangers and was 6-2 with a 1.39 ERA and 43 saves in 46 chances. The Tigers offered him a $9 million option, but he turned it down to pursue free agency.
Nathan is Major League Baseball’s active saves leader (341), taking over for now-retired New York Yankees ace Mariano Rivera.
Nathan is three years removed from Tommy John surgery and in 13 seasons with the Giants, Twins and Rangers, posted 341 saves and a 2.67 ERA.
Joaquin Benoit and Jose Veras weren’t door-slamming ninth inning relievers in mixed roles with the Tigers in 2013. Detroit went to spring training in February envisioning rookie Bruce Rondon, a flame-thrower who couldn’t find the plate, would be the primary closer but he went to Toledo when the Tigers broke camp in March.
That set off a full scramble by general manager Dave Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland to set a pecking order in the bullpen, including re-signing former closer Jose Valverde. And with Benoit now a free agent, the Tigers had to move quick to fill the void if Benoit signs elsewhere, which now appears even more likely.
The move continued an active off-season already for the Tigers, who already made major news by trading hard-hitting Prince Fielder to Texas for Ian Kinsler.
In announcing Nathan’s signing, Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski also said star third baseman Miguel Cabrera will move from third base to first base to replace the now departed Cabrera. Nick Castellanos will likely take over at third base.
The Tigers are also expected to move left-hander Drew Smyly into the starting rotation in 2014, opening up another spot in the bullpen, which will have a decidedly different look. Right-hander Jose Veras will not return, as the team declined its option on him, and left-hander Ian Krol, obtained in the Fister trade, will move into the Tigers’ pen.