Tigers acquire Renteria

The Detroit Tigers made the first splash in baseball's offseason as they addressed a pressing priority.

Again.

Detroit filled its No. 1 void yesterday, acquiring shortstop Edgar Renteria and cash from the Atlanta Braves for two prospects.

Shortly after reaching the World Series last season, the Tigers pulled off the first major move when they traded for Gary Sheffield. Detroit hopes this year's deal at the start of the offseason, necessitated by shifting Carlos Guillen to first base, helps the franchise get back to the postseason after falling short this year with 88 wins.

"We were able to address our biggest need, heading into the winter, with one of the best shortstops in the game," Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said on a conference call.

Renteria, a five-time All-Star, hit .332 with 12 homers and 57 RBIs in 124 games with Atlanta this season. In exchange for the 32-year-old Renteria, Detroit gave up righthander Jair Jurrjens and minor league outfielder Gorkys Hernandez.

Renteria will be reunited with Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland, with whom he won a World Series title in 1997 with the Marlins.

Twins won't be identical

The Twins have exercised their $6 million option on closer Joe Nathan, ensuring the two-time All-Star will be back for another season in Minnesota. But, as expected, longtime center fielder Torii Hunter was among 57 players to file for free agency on the first day they could. The Twins have a 15-day window in which they can negotiate exclusively with Hunter, but all signs point to him hitting the open market. Minnesota could have bought Nathan out for $1 million, but the righthander's 160 saves and 1.94 ERA over the past four years make his salary a bargain by market value. Twins righthander Carlos Silva also filed for free agency . . . He may not be the most attractive free agent, but he may be the most visible: Home run king Barry Bonds officially ended his 15-year tenure with the Giants by filing.