Joe Nathan to Rangers - 2 years, $14.5 million

[reillymcshane]

http://www.mlbtraderumors...to-sign-joe-nathan-.html

 

2 years, $14.5 million. Feliz can move into the rotation.

 

EDIT: Added dollars and better link to info.

[RockCoCougars]

Wow. These contracts doled to relievers affirm the fact that Ax is probably the best value in baseball.

[chadomac]

Can't believe he got two years.

[danzig6767]

Kind of risky giving Nathan two years, but being now about two years removed from elbow surgery, if he can get back to near his prior production, Nathan could end up being a bargain. His secondary numbers last year were better than his ERA, the main problem was the home run totals were up.

 

If this contract had been given out by a non-contender like say Houston, Baltimore, Washington, etc, i think it would have been a foolish decision. Texas though should be a strong contender to reach the post season again and they have a lot of revenues coming in, so i understand why they rolled the dice on Nathan coming back to being a quality closer again.

[Katuluu]

They are out of their minds to give him that.

[Invader3K]

Seems like a big overpay for a guy that is probably on the decline.

[Hate those Rodents]

We should make Axford a starter and go and sign Cordero.

[Yeti73]

I always liked Nathan, but this seems to be a lot for a guy on the tail end of a career. Not to mention, Nathan is one of the worst post-season performers around. Yes, he had a big part in getting the Twins to the playoffs, but he's been so shaky when the pressure is the highest. With that rotation and lineup, I'm confident he'll get another shot, but the guy has a WHIP of 2.375 and and ERA close to 9.00 in 4 post-season trips.

[joepepsi]

Does this move Neftali into the rotation? If so, in effect they are getting a closer and possibly good to great starter for less than the cost of a free agent starter.

[Raw Biz]

Does this move Neftali into the rotation? If so, in effect they are getting a closer and possibly good to great starter for less than the cost of a free agent starter.

That's the plan but I don't think they needed to sign Nathan to move Feliz into the rotation. They could've just moved Adams into the closer's role and gotten a great starter/great closer for free if that's the way you're looking at it.

[Mudville9]

Does this make it more likely that KRod turns down arbitration? If Nathan got that much, he should be able to get a nice payday on the open market.

[monty57]

Does this make it more likely that KRod turns down arbitration?

 

K-Rod wants to close and knows he won't close for the Brewers. The chance of him accepting arbitration is very small.

 

Wow. These contracts doled to relievers affirm the fact that Ax is probably the best value in baseball

 

The contracts given to proven closers could be a big reason why Melvin is rumored to be discussing an extension for Axford. If contracts continue to escalate, Axford could get huge paydays in arbitration, so Melvin may be looking for some price certainty. It's a lot of risk to take, but it's somewhat understandable.