DETROIT -- Joe Nathan expects to fit in just fine in Detroit -- and now the Tigers dont have to face the closer who has dominate

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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. Sheldrick Redwine Womens 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." Joe Thomas Womens Jersey . Joining him in this years class were Switzerlands Patrick Huerlimann and Norways Eigil Ramsfjell. The announcement was made at the world mens curling championship at Capital Indoor Stadium in China. Ozzie Newsome Jersey . You can watch all the action on TSN and TSN GO beginning at 8:30pm et/5:30pm pt. Minnesota dropped the first two tests of this best-of-seven set at Chicagos United Center and was outscored by a combined 9-3 margin in those setbacks. However, the Wild righted themselves at home by taking Game 3 by a 4-0 count before knotting the series at two games apiece with Fridays 4-2 triumph at Xcel Energy Center. http://www.footballbrownsnflprostore.com/Youth-Ozzie-Newsome-Elite-Jersey/ . Louis Cardinals continued their offensive tear with a 9-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of a four-game series.Six representatives of Scotlands 42 clubs have been elected to sit on the SPFL board for the next year. At the Annual General Meeting, three representatives from Ladbrokes Premiership teams were elected alongside two from the Ladbrokes Championship and one covering Ladbrokes League 1 and 2.Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell, Ann Budge, chairwoman of Hearts, and Partick Thistle managing director Ian Maxwell will represent the top flight while Hibernian chief executive Leeann Dempster and Raith Rovers director Eric Drysdale wlll serve on the board for the Championship. All three Premiership members are new to the board alongside Ms Dempster. Celtic already had financial director Eric Riley on the board but he is now replaced by Lawwell.Brechin City chairman Ken Ferguson will represent the lower leagues and the six are joined on the board for 2016/17 by SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster, SPFL chairman Ralph Topping and independent non-executive director Karyn McCluskey. Neil Doncaster, remains part of SPFL board for the 2016/17 campaign Speaking to Sky Sports Scotland after the Hampden meeting, Ann Budge said: One of the challenges facing lots of clubs is how do you attract people back to watching football.Attendances is clearly a big issue, but that said, attendances are up, so we need to build on the positives and I think there is not enouugh recognition of some of the good that all of these clubs are doing in their communities. Cleveland Browns Jerseys. Hearts owner Ann Budge keen to attract more fans to the game in Scotland We really need to help people understand and not just focus on things when something may go wrong. What is Scottish football bringing to this country? I think it brings a lot and we dont always convey that as well as we should.Leeann Dempster, who joined Hibs from a similar role with Scottish Premiership side Motherwell in April 2014, said: You have never heard me talk Scottish football down. Leeann Dempster (left) joins SPFL board for the forthcoming season I think it is improving all the time and for us it is about growing the game in lots of different ways and I want to be part of that. I am very committed to communities and getting people involved in the game and that is a different aspect that the board could benefit from. Also See: Scotland latest Scotland fixtures Scotland stats Table Live on Sky Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Cheap NBA Jerseys Wholesale NHL Jerseys Wholesale MLB Jerseys Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Wholesale NCAA Jerseys Wholesale Football Jerseys Wholesale Basketball Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys ' ' '