Getting Joe Nathan would be quite sweet

[sbrylski]

.201 / .292 / .388 / .680 is not bad.

 

And his 2007 splits are very solid:

vRHB - .185 / .573

vLHB - .181 / .618

[dadofandrew]

Not bad, but he's been set up for success nicely, brought in to face RH's. Used as a closer, he'll face only the very best RH's, and LH PH's. It's not difficult to see him struggling in that role.

[Katuluu]

Neshek has been their setup man for the past 3 months. He hasn't been exclusively used against righties since May.

[falling off]

Mench for Rincon would be an outstanding deal for the Brewers. Sign me up!

 

Living up here in Twins country, I get to watch quite a few of there games. I would stay as far away from Rincon as possible. He has completely lost it. For comparison's sake Turnbrows WHIP was in the 1.4 range while Rincon's was in the 1.6 range this year. I wonder if using Hall as trade bait could get us anywhere near Pat Neschek. Thats a guy I would love to have.

[falling off]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com

 

One AL executive theorized, "There are a few teams who could match up with the Twins. Would the Yankees deal Melky Cabrera and an Ian Kennedy for Santana? How about Boston? Would they send a Clay Buchholz and a Jacoby Ellsbury for him? The Mets? There are few teams who could handle the paycheck you'd have to give Santana and also be able to part with key prospects."

 

So you would basically be looking at two major league ready prospects. If your trading that much for him an extension has to be part of the deal. No way the brewers get in on this. Plus he has a partial no trade clause in which he can choose 12 teams to block a trade to. Wouldnt be suprised to see the Brewers on that list.

[And That]

Back to my original point here...

 

Yes, Cordero isn't a *huge* dropoff from Nathan, but Nathan does have a few things going for him which forms the basis for my want of he over Coco.

 

1) Nathan is a better pitcher, without a doubt. His ERA+ from the previous four seasons, starting with 2007: 235, 283, 163, 292. Cordero from that same time span: 149, 125, 132, 237. Those sets of ERAs are both over very similar innings pitched.

 

2) As I stated in the original post, I wouldn't make the trade without first being able to ask Nathan if he'd be willing to sign an extension, and bounce some ballpark numbers around with his agent (whom isn't Scott Boras). Worst case is that we only have Nathan for one year - I'd still be more comfortable with Joe Nathan for one year than giving Cordero $50 million dollars of guaranteed money.

 

3) Kat noted that Nathan might well be the best closer in baseball. Due to the inexpensiveness of the offense, the Brewers are in a position to go out and get (and pay for) the best, as opposed to almost the best but not quite. Why not do it?

 

And FWIW, I'd stay away from both Neshek and Rincon. The league is not that far away from figuring Neshek out - he has a deceptive windup, and it looks like he's a sidearmer, but his release point is just a modified 3/4 arm slot, sort of like Chad Ogea. Once batters are able to concentrate better on this, I think he'll be in for a tumble. The Twins have talked about Neshek being the heir to Nathan too, so he's not going anywhere. Rincon's WHIP has gone up the past three years while his K rate has generally been dropping. In other words, DANGER DANGER. You might be able to trade Mench for him, but your scouts better be darn sure they know what they're getting.

[falling off]

I just dont know about giving up that much for Joe Nathan without signing him to a contract extension. And i dont think the Brewers could afford what he would get on the open market. I am guessing that it would be 5 years at 12+ million as a starting point. No way the Brewers give that to Nathan (or any closer). I think they are best off going and getting a Todd Jones/Bob Wickman type for a couple of years and drafting a college closer early in June and grooming him for the posistion.

[endaround]

Nathan won't get that much. That said unless the Twins are enamored with Gwynn (He's just like Tyner!) I really don't see much of a match.

[Katuluu]

The Twins will need a CF and they do love defense up the middle. I could see Gwynn being higher on their list then he would be for most teams. And I'd be suprised if Nathan gets much more then $9-10 million a year, but he's probably worth more then that.