The Detroit Tigers and pitcher Mike Maroth are nearing an agreement on a two-year contract worth about $5.25 million. Maroth was 14-14 with a 4.74 ERA last season, two years after being the first pitcher since 1980 to lose 20 games in one season. Detroit are counting on the left-hander to be in their rotation, perhaps behind Kenny Rogers and Jeremy Bonderman and ahead of Nate Robertson and one of their prospects. If the team and Maroth complete the deal -- which would pay him about $2.3 million this season and $2.95 million in 2007 -- they would avoid arbitration. "We've had conversations, but I can't say more at this point," Tigers president Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday night.