The Detroit Tigers and veteran reliever Emilio Pagán agreed to a one-year deal worth approximately $11 million, sources told the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
The 35-year-old right-hander recorded 25 saves for the Cincinnati Reds last season, authoring a 3.38 ERA and 4.18 FIP over 42 2/3 innings while making 45 appearances.
He spent the previous three seasons with the Reds and became a free agent after declining a $10-million option to remain in Cincinnati.
Pagán possesses a 3.64 ERA and 4.01 FIP over his 10-year career and has worked almost exclusively out of the bullpen.
He was considered one of the top relievers available on the open market this winter.
His signing marks the first significant move of the MLB offseason. The current collective bargaining agreement is set to expire Dec. 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET, so the market could develop more quickly than usual.
The Tigers were in pursuit of a new closer after declining Kenley Jansen's $12-million option and paying a $2-million buyout.
Jansen, 39, recorded 22 saves for Detroit this past season while posting a 3.20 ERA and 4.46 FIP for a Tigers bullpen that ranked 21st in MLB by FanGraphs WAR. Jansen is two saves away from becoming the third pitcher in MLB history to reach 500.
