DETROIT -- Joe Nathan expects to fit in just fine in Detroit -- and now the Tigers dont have to face the closer who has dominated them more than perhaps any
other in baseball.
Shin-Soo Choo Authentic Jersey . Nathan agreed with Detroit on a two-year contract with a club option for 2016, enabling
the Tigers to accomplish one of their main objectives this off-season by adding
one of the games most accomplished closers to the bullpen. The three-time
defending AL Central champions announced the deal Wednesday, two days after
trading right-handed starter Doug Fister to Washington. Terms were not
disclosed. "Why would I come here?" Nathan asked rhetorically. "I think the
question is, why wouldnt I? This team is ready to win. Theyre ready to win now.
... Its not just about getting to the post-season. For me, its about getting to
the big one." Nathan, who turned 39 last month, has never pitched in the World
Series. He had 43 saves in 46 chances for the Texas Rangers last season. Its
been a busy off-season already for Detroit, which traded slugger Prince Fielder
to Texas for Ian Kinsler in a move that, coupled with the trade of Fister, gave
the Tigers more financial flexibility. Detroits bullpen was unsettled for much
of last season. Joaquin Benoit eventually performed well as the closer, but he
is now a free agent. "A very big part of what we were trying to accomplish was
to get a closer," general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "This was always a goal
of ours." Nathan posted a 1.39 ERA last season, then declined a $9 million
option that would have kept him with the Rangers. Nathan wanted at least a
two-year agreement, and the Tigers were willing to give it to him. Now that
Mariano Rivera has retired, Nathan is baseballs active leader with 341 saves.
Hes pitched for San Francisco, Minnesota and Texas -- and hes been particularly
dominant when facing the Tigers, converting all 36 of his save chances with a
1.44 ERA. Thats more saves than any other pitcher has against the Tigers. Nathan
even helped hand Detroit one of its most crushing losses in franchise history --
he pitched in relief when the Twins beat the Tigers in extra innings of a
one-game playoff for the 2009 division title. "Probably the best game that Ive
ever been a part of," Nathan said. "Sorry to bring it up." Nathan missed the
2010 season with the Twins following surgery on his right elbow. He struggled in
2011 but pitched well for the Rangers the last two seasons. Detroit went into
last season without a set closer, and after the Tigers brought Jose Valverde
back and that didnt work, they went with Benoit. He finished the season with 24
saves in 26 chances, but in Game 2 of the AL championship series, he allowed a
tying grand slam by Bostons David Ortiz that was a turning point in the series.
The Red Sox went on to win in six games, rallying against the Detroit bullpen
again in the finale. Besides trading Fielder and Fister, the Tigers hired
Brad Ausmus to replace manager Jim Leyland, who stepped down. The changes will
be clear on the field next season. Dombrowski said Wednesday that Miguel Cabrera
will move from third base to first -- a switch that seemed likely from the
moment Fielder was traded. The Tigers are hoping Nick Castellanos can take over
at third. After trading Fister, the Tigers are prepared to move promising
left-hander Drew Smyly from the bullpen to the starting rotation. The bullpen
will look a lot different next year, especially since Dombrowski says Benoit is
unlikely to be back. Detroit declined an option on right-hander Jose Veras, and
the Tigers got left-hander Ian Krol in the deal this week with Washington.
Dombrowski said he wouldnt think the Tigers would be involved in any other major
moves in free agency, although Detroit has been known to pull off an occasional
surprise, whether its a free agent signing or a trade. The general manager was
asked if the team is now better positioned to sign somebody to a long-term deal,
such as Tigers right-hander Max Scherzer, who won the American League Cy Young
Award this year and is a free agent after next season. "Well I wouldnt use any
specific names, but Id say -- yes, we are," Dombrowski said. "You try to win in
the short term, which were trying to do. Were doing everything we can. But youre
also trying to maintain long-term success, so youre always trying to work on
both of those things."
Nomar Mazara Jersey . Catch the game on TSN starting at 9pm et/6pm pt. The Kings are 0-2-1 on their final trip of the
regular season. They end the campaign at home on Saturday versus the Pacific
Division-champion Anaheim Ducks before kicking off a first-round playoff matchup
with the second-place San Jose Sharks.
Delino DeShields Authentic Jersey . - Country singer Vince Gill and Kristen Laviolette have been appointed to positions on the
Nashville Predators Foundations board of directors.HARRISON, N.J. - Mike Petke
is out as the coach of the New York Red Bulls.The Major League Soccer team
announced on Wednesday that Petke would not return for the 2015 season despite
leading the team to the playoffs in each of his two seasons and the leagues best
regular-season record in 2013.The move came two weeks after Ali Curtis was hired
to replace Andy Roxburgh as the teamss sporting director.
Adrian Beltre Authentic Jersey. Petke played in the MLS from 1998-2010, starting with the New York MetroStars and finishing
with the Red Bulls. He joined the Red Bulls front office after retiring, became
an assistant a year later and the coach in 2013 after serving time as interim
coach. The Red Bulls won the Supporters Shield trophy in 2013 for the best
record.
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