Thursday, October 15, 2009

After Further Review, Keep Joe Nathan


Watching a closer destroy a well pitched game is a painful experience. Joe Nathan did just that against the New York Yankees in the ALDS, but feelings of anger and disappointment are clouding what Joe Nathan has done as a closer for the Minnesota Twins. He's been an outstanding, shutdown closer in his career, but the last month of this season was a highwire act to say the least. With that said here are his statistics:
  • ERA of 2.10 for the season

  • Season WHIP of 0.93

  • K/BB ratio of 4.05, nearly what is was in 2007 (4.05) and 2008 (4.11)

  • Opponents batted .171 against him this year with .160 avg vs. lefties and .181 vs. righties

  • Nathan blew 5 saves this year, 6 last year and 4 the year before. Not a spike upwards

Joe Nathan will be 35 years old at the start of next season, his ERA the last 3 months of this season rose consistently: 1.69, 2.46 and finally 4.76 in September. Certainly these are strikes against him. In addition, Twins fans are frustrated with his lack of poise and ability to get anyone out in a Yankee uniform this season and in past seasons. This may be a mental hurdle he never overcomes in his career, but should he be traded? It seems that would be an overly emotional reaction to Nathan's pitching performance at Yankee Stadium in the playoffs. Behind Mariano Rivera who is better as a closer than Joe Nathan in the American League? No one really. Unless a trade is offered that really helps the Twins get better and involves real major league players and not highly thought of prospects Joe Nathan should remain a Twin. With that said a future replacement should start to be thought of. Anthony Slama may be just that pitcher.

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2 comments:

  1. RecordTimeOctober 15, 2009 at 9:30 AM

    I agree with that 100% except I think one could argue that Soria or Papelbon would be as good or better than Nathan.

    Papelbon faces stiffer competition all year long and performs at a very high level and Soria is dominant and very young where as Nathan is getting up there by professional sport's standards.

    As far as relievers that would be available though I think it is a no brainer to hang on to Nathan unless like you said we can get some top players that have proven themselves to fill some of our infield holes.

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  2. TroyOctober 15, 2009 at 9:48 AM

    I think it would be stupid if the Twins don't at least shop him, and see what they could get for him. That's a lot of salary that I would rather be spent on a Lackey, Halladay, or other possible anchor to our starting rotation.

    Twins have a slew of up-and-coming bullpen arms. Delaney, Slama, Guiterrez, and Burnett to name a few. I would be very surprised if none of them are able to handle the closer role.

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