Joe Nathan, who became one of baseball’s best relievers beginning in 2004, will be free to join another team after this season if Minnesota doesn’t pick up the option on his contract. Even with the option, Nathan can leave the team after the 2008 season if a new multi-year contract isn’t agreed to. He told Sports Headliners last week that although there were past discussions about keeping him here, there’s no communication now between his agent and team management.
The Twins face major contract decisions regarding Nathan, Johan Santana, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer and Torii Hunter. Nathan could be seen as the most expendable of the five because Santana is arguably baseball’s best pitcher, the other three are every day star players and the Twins have a history of developing bull pen stoppers.
Nathan would welcome more contract talks (currently “leaving here is the furthest thing from my mind”) but team precedent has been to deal with contracts before and after the season, not during. However, the closer Nathan comes to free agency the more likely he will want to listen to other clubs. Coming into this season he had 123 saves during the last three seasons, second in the major leagues to Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera (130 each). His salary is $5,250,000 according to espn.com. The Web site lists Hoffman’s at $7 million and Rivera at $10,500,000.
Nathan said his new contract doesn’t have to be the richest among major league relief pitchers. “I don’t want to say I am only going to take that (the highest), but it’s something where you are compared to guys and it’s got to be at least in the ballpark. …”
A possible willingness to take a “little less” than market price could be influenced by multiple factors including bonus money, contract length and the team’s commitment to winning. Not only does Nathan express a desire to stay here but he’s appreciative of how the Twins have showcased him as a top reliever and used restraint in not over working him. He said his career has been lengthened by the team’s bullpen depth.
Although he will be 33 in November, Nathan doesn’t think his next contract is necessarily the last. “I am still young,” he said. “I am 32 but I feel like I am younger than that because I haven’t been pitching that long so I feel like I’ve got plenty of good innings in my arm. I haven’t shown any signs that would be different. …”