The Detroit Tigers are close to a deal with free-agent closer Joe Nathan, a source told ESPN's Buster Olney.

Free agent Joe Nathan is close to a deal that would have him saving games for the Tigers. AP Photo/Jim Cowsert

David Pepe, Nathan's agent, declined to comment on the original report by Foxsports.com.

The pending deal comes after Brian Wilson, who had also been in negotiations with the club, broke off talks with Detroit to explore other opportunities, a baseball source told Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com.

Nathan, 39, is tied with Rollie Fingers for 10th place on baseball's career list with 341 saves. He went 6-2 with a 1.39 ERA and 43 saves and made his sixth All-Star team with the Texas Rangers in 2013.

Detroit general manager Dave Dombrowski made upgrading the bullpen an offseason priority after the Tigers' relief corps struggled in the American League Championship loss to Boston. Nathan takes over at closer for Joaquin Benoit, who filed for free agency after notching 24 saves in 2013.