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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. 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." Wholesale Asics Shoes . Case in point: LeBron James vs. Ben McLemore. James was driving to the rim in the first quarter and McLemore decided to try to take the charge, which was quite admirable and predictably futile. Wholesale Asics Shoes Free Shipping . The government says top golfers are expected to compete in the PGA Tour event at the Ashburn Golf Club in the suburb of Fall River from July 3-6 and again next year. http://www.cheapasics.com/. The Red Sox maintained a share of the AL wild-card lead Tuesday night, using four home runs to beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-7 and set up a dramatic conclusion to the regular season. The skidding Red Sox were 6-19 this month before rebounding to edge the last-place Orioles. Cheap Asics Shoes Online .com) - Markus Granlund scored the game-winning goal as the Calgary Flames used an early offensive flurry to defeat the Los Angeles Kings, 2-1, on Monday. Cheap Asics Shoes From China . -- The Oakland Raiders added a veteran presence to their young receiving group by signing free agent James Jones to a three-year contract Monday.WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The Toronto Marlies scored three third-period goals to rally past the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 3-2 on Sunday in American Hockey League play. Greg McKegg, T.J. Brennan and Kenny Ryan each scored in the third for Toronto (43-24-6), which had been outshot 7-4 in the first period and 12-4 iin the second.dddddddddddd The Marlies finally found their offence in the third, outshooting the Penguins 13-5. Adam Payerl and Tom Kostopoulos replied for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (42-24-8). Garret Sparks stopped 22 shots for Toronto, while at the other end of the ice Tomas Vokoun made 18 saves. ' ' '