DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit have filled their hole at closer, agreeing to terms with Jose Valverde on a two-year contract with a club option for a third.
The club announced the deal Tuesday but didn’t disclose Valverde’s salary. A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press last week that Valverde and the Tigers had reached a preliminary agreement on a $14 million, two-year contract with a $9 million option for 2012.
Valverde saved 25 games in 29 chances for the Astros last year before filing for free agency. The 30-year-old right-hander was 4-2 with a 2.33 ERA. Valverde led the NL in saves with Arizona in 2007 and Houston in 2008.
Detroit needed a closer after choosing not to re-sign Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon.