Joe Nathan

2013

Subscribe now to see our 2013 outlook.

2012

Nathan enters 2012 as the Rangers closer in his second full season back from Tommy John surgery. After missing all of 2011, Nathan began last season as Minnesota's closer but struggled and lost the job after just three weeks. He had a 7.63 ERA and nine walks in 15 innings along with a noticeable drop in velocity before going on the DL with a flexor strain. Nathan turned things around when he returned from the DL with a 3.38 ERA and 28:5 K:BB ratio in 29.1 innings. He reclaimed the closer role and converted all 11 save chances. He was arguably the best closer in baseball before Tommy John surgery with outstanding control and a dominating strikeout rate. He'll be 37 years old this season, but his second-half stats show he could approach his pre-surgery form.

2011

Nathan hurt his elbow early last spring and missed the entire season after Tommy John surgery. He's expected to be ready for the start of spring training. However, it remains to be seen how effective he'll be initially and what kind of role he'll have in the bullpen. He'll likely begin the season in middle relief while Matt Capps serves as Minnesota's closer, but he could take over closing duties later in the summer. He was arguably the best closer in baseball before the injury with outstanding control and a dominating strikeout rate. Still, he'll be 35 this season and pitchers often struggle with control in their first season back from Tommy John surgery, so temper your expectations.

2010

Nathan's 2009 regular season shows he's arguably the best closer in baseball, but some talk emerged that he may be fading or that the Twins should trade him after he blew a save in Minnesota's playoff loss to the Yankees. Nathan didn't show any signs of wearing down at age 34 last season as he continued to have outstanding control (89:22 K:BB ratio), improved his strikeout rate (11.67 K/9IP) and had a slightly higher average velocity on his fastball than in 2008. He also got more save opportunities, which resulted in a franchise-record 47 saves. And he remains very durable since he hasn't been on the DL since 2000. If others overreact to a playoff loss, he could be a bargain in 2010 as there's every reason to think he'll be among the top closers in baseball again.

2009

Nathan continues to be arguably the best closer in the game and had another dominant season in 2008. Nathan strikes out over a batter per inning (if down slightly from his earlier days) with oustanding control (88:19 K:BB ratio) and durability (hasn't been on the DL since 2000). About the only criticsm of his season was that manager Ron Gardehire was too hesitant to use him for more than one inning (just four outings over one inning) or bring him in during the eighth inning. He'll be near the top of any fantasy rankings of closers.

2008

Nathan may be the best closer in baseball after another dominant season with outstanding control (77:19 K:BB ratio in 71.2 innings). His strikeouts were down slightly from recent years, but he still whiffed better than a batter per inning. The big fantasy issue for Nathan in 2008 is that he's in the final year of his contract and the Twins haven't seemed willing to sign him to a long-term extension. He's a risk to be traded if the Twins fall out of the pennant race as a result.

2007

If not for Mariano Rivera, Nathan might be considered the best closer in baseball. Although for the first time as Minnesota's closer he didn't earn more than 40 saves (he only received 38 chances), he increased his strikeout rate while reducing his walks. He blew just two saves all season. Expect another 35 or more saves once again.

2006

Nathan showed his strong first season as a closer was no fluke as he nearly duplicated his 2004 numbers. Nathan struck out well over a batter per inning and had a strong 94/22 K/BB ratio. He's a good bet to once again save at least 35 games in the closer role.

2005

Nathan surpassed all expectations in his first season as a closer by converting 44 of 47 save chances and making the AL All Star team. He proved his success after one year as a reliever with the Giants wasn't a fluke after being traded to the Twins. Nathan struck out well over a batter per inning and had a strong 89/23 K/BB ratio. He looks like a strong bet to save at least 35 games again in the closer role.

2004

Nathan will be the primary candidate to close for the Twins after an outstanding season last year with the Giants. Acquired in the A.J. Pierzynski trade, Nathan is coming off his first season as reliever, which proved to be a big success. He dominated hitters with 83 strikeouts against just 33 walks in 79 innings. Two worries are that he's had just one good season and he's moving away from a pitcher's park, but that kind of dominance makes it likely he'll be productive with his new team.

2003

Nathan turned 28 in the offseason, and needs to make an impression soon; 6-12, 5.60 in 25 starts at Triple-A in 2002 wasn't a good one. He's probably on the outside looking in when it comes to the Giants' starting rotation in 2003, and he'll likely spend the year at Triple-A again.