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The Detroit Tigers and closer Joe Nathan have mutual interest in each other, according to Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com. Nathan recently voided his contract with the Texas Rangers in an attempt to secure a multi-year deal on the free agent market.
Nathan has expressed that he does not expect to be back in Texas, where he spent the last two seasons.
Morosi notes that the Tigers are "high" on Nathan's wish list, signifying that the sides could match up on a contract in the near future.
While no other teams have been publicly known to be in talks with Nathan, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe speculates that the Yankees, who may look to replace Mariano Rivera at the back of their bullpen, may be a team to watch in the Nathan sweepstakes.
Nathan, who turns 39 this month, is joined by Kevin Gregg, Grant Balfour, Joaquin Benoit, Joel Hanrahan, Chris Perez, Fernando Rodney and Brian Wilson on the free agent market this winter. Because Nathan has consistently been one of the best closers in baseball over the last thirteen seasons with the Giants (1999-2000, 2002-2003), Twins (2004-2009, 2011) and Rangers (2012-2013), he will likely command the biggest contract for a closer this winter.