The Detroit Tigers re-signed reliever Joba Chamberlain to a one-year deal worth $1 million, according to FOX Sports Ken Rosenthal. The deal also includes bonuses that he can earn with top performance.
Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said that the 29-year-old turned down more money to stay in Detroit. Since the Tigers are struggling with their bullpen, it is not a huge deal to test the strength of Chamberlain. If it works out that is great, but if not, it is not a big deal.
Chamberlain was drafted by the New York Yankees. They took him with the 41st overall pick in the 2006 MLB Draft.
During seven years with the Yankees, Chamberlain put up a 3.85 ERA. He started 43 games, most of them in 2009. However, he is a reliever and played in 260 total games with New York.
Chamberlain signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal, plus performance incentives with the Tigers on December 12, 2013. In 69 games with Detroit, he owned a 3.57 ERA and 59 strikeouts over 63.0 innings pitched. He gave up a career-low 0.4 home runs per nine innings and a decent 8.1 hits per nine innings.
Prior to signing, he had the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins seriously looking at him as a pitcher to add to their roster. Chamberlain also had multiple minor-league offers.