Urbina the Tiger

March 25, 200422 yr

"Pudge has called me several times. He called three days ago. He said, 'I really want you to play with me,'" Urbina said.

Well, its almost official, no urbina the tourbina for us, oh well...We have Benitez...hopefully he'll pull through.

Heres the link

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1768000

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Reliever Ugueth Urbina was ready to sign as a free agent with the Detroit Tigers on Thursday after helping the Florida Marlins win last year's World Series.

Urbina worked out with Detroit pitching coach Bob Cluck while manager Alan Trammell looked on. After the workout, Urbina said he had to take a physical and then intended to sign a one-year deal for $3.5 million. Urbina earned about $4.5 million last season.

"I'm already home,'' said Urbina, who is good friends with Detroit catcher Ivan Rodriguez, the team's prize acquisition. He also knows several others on the team. Urbina passed a physical with the Cleveland Indians recently, so he expected the physical for the Tigers to be a formality.

The 30-year-old closer pitched for the Texas Rangers and the Marlins in 2003. He was 3-0 with six saves for the Marlins during the regular season and saved four more games for the Marlins in postseason play, including two in their World Series triumph. Before being traded, he was 0-4 with 26 saves for Texas.

Urbina said his relationship with Rodriguez was a key factor in deciding to settle on Detroit.

"Pudge has called me several times. He called three days ago. He said, 'I really want you to play with me,'" Urbina said.

Urbina feels he never needs much spring training to get ready. He said he thought he would be ready to pitch for the Tigers in three weeks, about a week into the regular season.

Earlier Thursday, the Tigers sent closer Matt Anderson to Triple-A Toledo. Anderson, the No. 1 pick overall in the 1997 draft, has failed to bounce back from shoulder problems that have plagued the once hard-throwing pitcher.