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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." Jaromir Jagr Jersey . The former Toronto FC designated player played three of his 15 professional seasons with the team. Shayne Gostisbehere Jersey . They know how difficult it is to beat the San Antonio Spurs. George scored 28 points and Indiana defeated San Antonio 111-100 on Saturday night, snapping an 11-game skid against the Spurs. http://www.officialflyersfanstore.com/.com) - Ben Lovejoy tallied a goal and an assist as the Anaheim Ducks cruised into the All-Star break with a 6-3 victory against the Calgary Flames. Ron Hextall Jersey . Sundays race will be held at the Sepang circuit, adjacent to Kuala Lumpurs main airport where the ill-fated flight took off earlier this month. Authorities now say it is almost certain it crashed in the Indian Ocean, killing all 239 people aboard. James Van Riemsdyk Jersey .com) - Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll knows about life in the NFL from other stints around the league.MONTREAL -- Australian Open semifinalist Eugenie Bouchard will lead Canadas team at a Fed Cup womens tennis tie against Serbia next month. The native of Westmount, Que., who made headlines in Canada last week after unexpectedly making the final four in Melbourne, will be joined by Gabriela Dabrowski of Ottawa, Sharon Fichman of Toronto and Aleksandra Wozniak, Blainville, Que. The World Group II first-round series will be played indoors Feb. 8-9 at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex. "The team that will defend Canadas colours consists of experienced players on the international scene," said Canadian captain Sylvain Bruneau. "The girls are ready to take on the tough challenge that awaits them against Serbia and move one step closer to the World Group." The best-of-five series will mark Bouchards return home after her stellar Australian Open performance, which moved her up to No. 19 in the world rankings. The 19-year-old made her Fed Cup debut in 20011 and has a record 7-2.dddddddddddd Last year in Kyiv, Bouchard won two matches despite playing with an injured ankle, including the decisive doubles with Fichman to give Canada a place in World Group II for the first time since 2010. Dabrowski, the countrys top doubles player at No. 61 on the WTA rankings, reached her first two WTA doubles finals in 2013 at Brussels and Linz in addition to winning two doubles titles of the ITF Challenger Circuit. Shes 3-0 in Fed Cup play. Fichman enjoyed the best season of her career in 2013, making the worlds top 100 for the first time (95th). In her first tournament of 2014 at Auckland, Fichman collected her first WTA doubles title. In Fed Cup, Fichman is 22-7 since making her debut in 2005 at the age of 14. Wozniak has struggled with injuries and will be playing her first Fed Cup tie since 2011. A member of the Canadian squad since 2004, she holds a 37-9 record on the circuit. Canada lost 3-2 to Serbia in 2011. ' ' '