DETROIT -- Brandon Lyon agreed to a $4.25 million, one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers, who are trying to improve their bullpen.

The Tigers announced the deal Saturday at TigerFest, a fan event at Comerica Park.


Lyon

"He's always been a guy on our list and pretty high on our list," team president Dave Dombrowski said.

Detroit also agreed to a minor league deal with right-hander Scott Williamson. He will have a shot to be in the bullpen if he can return to the form he had in the majors between 1999-2007. He pitched in the minors last season.

"He said for the first time in years, he's healthy," Dombrowski said.

Lyon, who had 26 saves for the Diamondbacks last season, will have a chance to replace the retired Todd Jones at the end of Detroit's games.

Dombrowski said the right-hander had multiyear offers from other clubs to be a setup man, but chose to pitch in Detroit because he likes his chances to be its closer.

"He was not promised the closer's job," Dombrowski said. "He think he's going to win the job and that's why he wanted to come here.

"He think he can step forward and be that guy. Time will tell."

Lyon has played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and Arizona, and has 51 career saves.

Along with his salary, Lyon can earn $500,000 in performance bonuses.