sportsjabber.net

So in Texas Rangers signing Joe Nathan, several narratives resulted. Joe Nathan was signed for a two year, roughly $15 million dollar contract and the team immediately announced that Neftali Feliz is headed for the rotation. The outcome of the latter also probably means that there’s one fewer suitor for C.J. Wilson.

Tangentially, it also changes the market for the already huge pile of available relievers (Francisco Rodriguez, Heath Bell, Chad Qualls, Ryan Madson, LaTroy Hawkins, Matt Capps, etc.) because Texas wasn’t thought to be in the market for a closer. Taking Nathan off the market gives the bigger names (Rodriguez, Bell, Madson) a little more leverage with the few teams seeking 9th inning services. But the Nathan signing also gives teams context in light of $50 million dollar contracts going to closers — perhaps it’s not necessary to break the bank for firemen.

But back to Texas. What exactly can we expect from Joe Nathan after a yo-yo season which saw him lose and regain the closer role in Minnesota after his 2010 Tommy John Surgery?

http://www.rotohardball.com/2011/11/23/2581325/will-joe-nathan-regain-elite-status-in-texas