Justin Verlander likely would have earned a nine-figure contract if he was able to stay healthy and successful for two more seasons.

Instead, Verlander agreed to an $80 million, five-year deal to stay with the Detroit Tigers.

"It wasn't very tempting, to be honest," he insisted Thursday after the contract was finalized. "It's fun to think about, but why risk anything else if you know this is where you want to play baseball? And, I certainly don't plan on my career being over in five years."

In fact, Verlander is aiming at an honor that potentially could happen five years after he retires.

"I have one goal, and that's to make it to the Hall of Fame," he said. "If you get there, you've done some things right."

The Tigers will get a good return on their investment if he makes progress toward that lofty destination. In the meantime, they won't have to deal with the possibility of trading the right-hander or risking losing him in free agency.

Verlander's deal that avoids a salary arbitration hearing includes a $500,000 signing bonus, $6.75 million this season, $12.75 million next year and $20 million in each of the following three seasons. He would have been eligible for free agency after the 2011 World Series.

"He's one of the best pitchers in baseball and someone who can anchor our staff over the next five years," Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said.

Slugger Jim Thome signed his contract with Minnesota and was officially added to the team's 40-man roster. Thome agreed to terms with the Twins on a one-year, $1.5 million contract last week. But he needed to take a physical and the Twins needed to make a roster move before making the signing official. It turns out the Twins had the roster move made for them when the Oakland Athletics claimed Steve Tolleson off waivers Monday. Thome is expected to spend most of his time with the Twins as a pinch hitter. Manager Ron Gardenhire says Thome will also see some time at DH and could spell Justin Morneau at first base occasionally.

The spring home of Tampa Bay has a new name. The team announced that it agreed to terms with The Mosaic Company on a naming rights partnership for the stadium where they play spring training games in Charlotte County, Fla. Under the 15-year arrangement that expires in 2024, the ballpark will be called Mosaic Field at Charlotte Sports Park.

Pitcher Carlos Marmol and Chicago agreed to a one-year contract worth $2,125,000, the midpoint between the figures the sides exchanged in arbitration last month. In addition, Chicago reached a minor league contract with first baseman Kevin Millar. Marmol, a 27-year-old right-hander, was 2-4 with 15 saves in 19 chances and a 3.41 ERA in 79 relief appearances last year, taking over Aug. 18 as closer from Kevin Gregg. In addition to his base salary, he can earn $100,000 in performance bonuses based on games finished: $50,000 each for 55 and 60. With Gregg not re-signed, Marmol won't have competition for the closer's role this spring. Shortstop Ryan Theriot is the Cubs' last player in arbitration. The 38-year-old Millar hit .223 with 14 doubles, seven homers and 29 RBIs in 251 at-bats for Toronto last year.

A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that Seattle left-hander Erik Bedard are getting close to a one-year contract, pending a physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Mariners have not announced a deal. Bedard has been in his native Canada rehabilitating from surgery in August to repair a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder.

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