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. 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."
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Cristiano Ronaldo Jersey. The second game of the Tigers scheduled four-game series at the Chicago White Sox was postponed Tuesday night.REGINA -- The Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders released all-star slotback Weston Dressler on Thursday. The move wasnt a surprise. Dressler, 28, was scheduled to become a free agent Feb. 15 and was exploring his NFL options. Dave Naylor of TSN Radio 1050 confirms Dressler has agreed to join the Kansas City Chiefs, the team he worked out with earlier this month, pending a physical. Riders assistant GM Jeremy ODay said that could happen very soon. "Weston and his agent were very up front they were going to go through the process and we were made aware of a possible situation coming up in the next couple of days where Weston was more than likely going to get an opportunity," ODay told reporters. "From our standpoint its tough to lose such a good player thats been here for a long time, is a leader in the locker-room. "But again, youuve got to feel happy for him that he gets that opportunity.dddddddddddd He hasnt gone through the process of being in the NFL and as any competitor you just want to see how you compare with the best available players. We wish him the best." The five-foot-eight, 179-pound native of Bismarck, N.D., has spent the past six seasons in Regina, having registered 442 catches for 6,531 yards and 43 TDs. He has surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving plateau five times in his career, including the last four years. Dressler had five catches for a game-high 81 yards and a touchdown in Saskatchewans 45-23 Grey Cup victory over Hamilton. Dressler is a two-time CFL all-star and was the leagues top rookie in 08. "For the team obviously its not great news," ODay said. "But its our job to find good players and hopefully well be able to replace him."
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