Nathan out for year

[Willie Bee]

What was suspected 10 days ago or so is a reality with Twins closer Joe Nathan set to miss the entire season with elbow surgery. Who closes now in Minnesota? If they do eventually go after another reliever, who's the top candidate to be on the Twins' radar?

I know there have been rumors about Heath Bell, but I'm not buying those rumors for anytime soon, maybe a July deal if (when?) the Pads are long out of the NL West race. Is Jon Rauch the heir apparent? Will be interesting to see how Ron Gardenhire pitches Jess Crain in the nest 7-10 days.

[Chi_archie]

No Nathan and no crazy metrodome home field advantage anymore. Might have to buy some more twins season total unders

[obamaismyuncle]

Pat Neshek

[obamaismyuncle]

I have followed the Twins for many many years, and I don't believe Nathan out is going to have a big impact. I've always thought he was a bit overrated, most of Nathan's saves cames against the Royals, Indians, White Sux, and Tigers. Nathan's numbers are garbage against some of the better teams in baseball.

[Doc JS]

I have followed the Twins for many many years, and I don't believe Nathan out is going to have a big impact. I've always thought he was a bit overrated, most of Nathan's saves cames against the Royals, Indians, White Sux, and Tigers. Nathan's numbers are garbage against some of the better teams in baseball.

Do not underestimate having someone who is pretty much a lock at the back end of the bullpen...

[Willie Bee]

Pat Neshek

Hmmm, I don't always put a lot of stock in what Rotoworld.com has to say, but their notion on Neshek seems to make sense and does come from the horse's mouth:

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&id=90

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire shot down talk Friday of Pat Neshek possibly being considered for the club's ninth-inning vacancy.

Neshek is about 15 months removed from Tommy John surgery. "There’s a ways to go," said Gardy. "He hasn’t had the adrenaline flow of facing a hitter in a long time, and as soon as he did, he couldn’t walk for two days [because of a sore hamstring], and he didn’t do drills for a couple days. That’s where you’re at with Shaq. He’s got a ways to go." Jon Rauch is probably the favorite to fill the role and has been looking strong in exhibition relief outings.

[jjgold]

Minny is done now unless they get a trade or guys really step it up in bull pen

[Jericholic]

I have followed the Twins for many many years, and I don't believe Nathan out is going to have a big impact. I've always thought he was a bit overrated, most of Nathan's saves cames against the Royals, Indians, White Sux, and Tigers. Nathan's numbers are garbage against some of the better teams in baseball.

Agree 100%, not as big a deal as most people think. Lots of options for the Twins, I like Jon Rauch, dude came up huge in big spots down the stretch last year. But there is also Matt Guerrier, Neshek, or even Liriano would be willing to try closing according to the St. Paul paper today.

[Jericholic]

Minny is done now unless they get a trade or guys really step it up in bull pen

The thing is the bull pen doesn't have to step up, they just have to do what they've done the last 3 years.

[stealthyburrito]

wow, thats tough to hear for minny fans. looks like it could be a two horse race between the tigers and sox

Neshek looks like a good replacement, when healthy he was averaging a whip around 1.00 and over a SO per inning, but that was three years ago

[obamaismyuncle]

Agree 100%, not as big a deal as most people think. Lots of options for the Twins, I like Jon Rauch, dude came up huge in big spots down the stretch last year. But there is also Matt Guerrier, Neshek, or even Liriano would be willing to try closing according to the St. Paul paper today.

Guerrier just doesn't have it to be a closer, imo.

[obamaismyuncle]

Minny is done now unless they get a trade or guys really step it up in bull pen

You seriously are just so far out there that me just responding to this is a waste of time.

[obamaismyuncle]

wow, thats tough to hear for minny fans. looks like it could be a two horse race between the tigers and sox

Neshek looks like a good replacement, when healthy he was averaging a whip around 1.00 and over a SO per inning, but that was three years ago

The two horse race will be between the White Sox and Twins.

[Chugs]

Had my draft last night and was soooo close to taking a gamble on Nathan late ... Glad I didnt.

[Jericholic]

Guerrier just doesn't have it to be a closer, imo.

Don't disagree about Guerrier, probably best suited to be a setup man, but you never know.

[LT Profits]

Loriano is intriguing. Could be second coming of Nathan (former starter), except Loriano had more success as a starter than Nathan did.

[obamaismyuncle]

Loriano is intriguing. Could be second coming of Nathan (former starter), except Loriano had more success as a starter than Nathan did.

"Loriano" has looked great and will be a starter in the rotation. If Liriano or the (F Bomb as he is known locally) can come close to what he was in 06', its gonna be a huge plus for this rotation.

[Jericholic]

"Loriano" has looked great and will be a starter in the rotation. If Liriano or the (F Bomb as he is known locally) can come close to what he was in 06', its gonna be a huge plus for this rotation.

Liriano, not the closer situation is the key to the Twins season. The starters are all solid, but they don't have a true ace, if Liriano can step up it would be huge.

[obamaismyuncle]

Liriano, not the closer situation is the key to the Twins season. The starters are all solid, but they don't have a true ace, if Liriano can step up it would be huge.

I agree about Liriano. And scoring runs will not be this teams problem. The names that will decide how deep into October they go are Liriano, Blackburn, Slowey, Perkins, Baker, and Pavano. If the starting pitching is there, its gonna be a great year. Fuk the Yankees.

[Domer]

neshek was lights out a couple years ago

twins have a ridiculously deep minor league system, and have always developed pitchers well. wouldn't be too worried about it at this point.

[daneblazer]

Twins are already linked to Heath Bell & Jason Frasor. Most of the guys in their bullpen would help the team more if placed in non closing roles.

[Rainman328]

good for those white sox

[obamaismyuncle]

good for those white sox

Sox got real good pitching imo, but who is gonna score runs for them?

[mproud1]

Twins new closer??????

Who are the Twins going to use or try and find for their new closer???

[Willie Bee]

Do not underestimate having someone who is pretty much a lock at the back end of the bullpen...

Exactly. The 'save' stat is overrated, and I think teams could save payroll with a committee at the end of games, assuming they have 2-3 arms to use.

But no matter who fills in, it will at least test the depth of this pen. If it's Neshek or Crain, the bigger question becomes who fills their roll in the 7th-8th innings? I don't doubt Gardenhire's and Anderson's ability to find a good arm for the ninth, but I'm not all that sure about who then gets them to the ninth.

[nitty48]

Matt Guerrier