DETROIT — Shortstop Adam Everett and the Detroit Tigers finalized a $1 million, one-year contract today.

"We've talked about improving our defense, and we think Adam obviously does that," Tigers president Dave Dombrowski said during a telephone conference call. "He also can help us offensively — he can get the big hit."

Everett batted just .213 with two home runs and 20 RBIs in 48 games for the Minnesota Twins last season, when he was hampered by a shoulder injury. He appeared in 66 games the previous year for Houston, but the Tigers believe Everett will be a solid option at shortstop.

"I feel like I've always been able to handle the bat and help my team win," Everett said. "I've been hurt the last couple years — there's no secret there — and I haven't been able to show everything I can do offensively."

Everett is expected to replace Edgar Renteria, who became a free agent after the Tigers declined his 2009 option.

"I knew the Tigers were looking to improve their defense at shortstop, so it seemed like a great fit," Everett said. "Once I got an offer from them, I didn't really talk to anyone else."

With the Tigers also planning on moving Brandon Inge to third base after obtaining catcher Gerald Laird from Texas, Everett is excited about the possibilities.

"Brandon is a great defensive third baseman," he said. "He's going to make any shortstop better, just because of his great range."

Dombrowski hopes that the Inge-Everett combination will fix up one of Detroit's most glaring weaknesses from a year ago — infield defense.

"We've really been focused on improving our defense during this offseason, and that starts with putting Brandon back at third, where he is one of the best in the league," he said. "When you add Adam, that already gives us one of the best left-side infields in the game."