Sep 3, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Joe Nathan (36) pitches the ball against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Texas Rangers defeated the Oakland Athletics 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Tigers held a press conference to officially announce the signing of free agent closer Joe Nathan on Wednesday afternoon.
Here are some of the pertinent details, presented via embedded tweet:
Contract for Joe Nathan is two years with a club option.
— Chris Iott (@Chris_Iott) December 4, 2013
Joe Nathan presented with number 36 jersey. Luke Putkonen is going to need a new number.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) December 4, 2013
To make room on the 40 man roster Dixon Machado has been designated for assignment. #Tigers
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) December 4, 2013
So still no firm official financial terms presented, but the Fox Sports crew is still running with the $20 million figure that Ken Rosenthal reported yesterday. I like those terms, so I’ll run with it. I also really like the Tigers getting a team option thrown in there which carries almost no risk but would allow for an extra year at a decent price if Nathan works out. To make room on the 40-man roster, shortstop prospect Dixon Machado was designated for assignment.
Machado is a defensive wizard, but he hasn’t hit hardly a lick in the minor leagues (.572 OPS over his five minor league seasons) and would be entering his second option year in 2014. He’s still not a guy you’d like to just throw away, but he’s been passed on the middle infield prospect chart solidly by Hernan Perez, Eugenio Suarez, and Devon Travis. I was expecting the DFA to be more along the lines of Evan Reed, but it’s not really a big deal.
In related news, Dave Dombrowksi doesn’t expect the Tigers will be bringing back Joaquin Benoit to serve in a setup capacity:
DD: "I don't see Joaquin (Benoit) coming back as a set-up guy." #Tigers
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) December 4, 2013
And other notes from the presser:
For first time, Dombrowski says Miguel will play first and Castellanos will play 3rd. #Tigers
— Tony Paul (@TonyPaul1984) December 4, 2013
DD on LF: "I'm sure we'll have to do something else, in some regard, because we're limited in our outfielders." #Tigers
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) December 4, 2013