MLB - Sports Rumors

Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:22 am EST

Even without Santana, Nathan wants to stay with Twins

By Joe Zedalis

Joe Nathan

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It seems the very definition of a commitment to rebuilding, letting Torii Hunter walk away and sending Johan Santana out the door behind him. But Joe Nathan doesn't see a team planning for a 2010 pennant chase. He sees a potential 2008 American League Central contender according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

"I love Minnesota, and I want to stay there," Nathan said shortly after learning Santana probably will be a Met by week's end. "We'd like to hear where the Twins' thoughts are."

Nathan's contract, which pays him $6 million in 2008, will expire in October. He has said he expects to sign a long-term contract with a championship contender, because rebuilding teams generally don't invest in veteran closers. He's thinking the Twins, even without Hunter and Santana, can be that contender.

Source: St. Paul Pioneer PressNew Window

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55 Comments

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  1. brad a
    1. Posted by brad a Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    Get out Nathan - you're on a sinking ship!
  2. guzep2003
    2. Posted by guzep2003 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:14 pm EDT

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    The Mets will get him next... Lets Go METS!!!!!!! yEAH bABY
  3. Mr C.
    3. Posted by Mr C. Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    Talk about loyalty.
  4. SteveW
    4. Posted by SteveW Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:04 pm EDT

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    The Twins got shafted, but they accomplished what they set out to do... Get Johan to the NL. There was no way they'd trade JS to the Red Sox or Yankees even though their packages were the best in terms of top shelf talent. Minnesota will be lucky if any of the players they got stick on the Major League team for more than a couple of years. At least, Bos and NYY offered ML players plus prospects.
  5. Chronron
    5. Posted by Chronron Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:27 pm EDT

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    He must have a phat house or something!!
  6. EDDIE B
    6. Posted by EDDIE B Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:51 pm EDT

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    The Twins might have gotten the least from the Mets, in comparison to what the Yankees and Sox could have offered, but they prevented other AL contenders from attaining a stud too. The Yanks and Sox in essence would prevent the Twins from making Wildcard berths in the future if they acquired Santana. The Twins silver lining to this deal is that they don't have to contend against the Mets, let the NL deal with him. I still think the Twins can push for a Wildcard berth. Liriano is capable of replacing Santana, and Young can replace Hunter in the lineup. Mauer also had a down year last year, and Morneau should keep getting better.
  7. EDDIE B
    7. Posted by EDDIE B Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:51 pm EDT

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    the twins might have gotten the least from the mets, in comparison to what the yankees and sox could have offered, but they prevented other al contenders from attaining a stud too. the yanks and sox in essence would prevent the twins from making wildcard berths in the future if they acquired santana. the twins silver lining to this deal is that they don
  8. airbiz69
    8. Posted by airbiz69 Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:47 pm EDT

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    Bring him to the NYM. We eventually need to get rid of Wagner. Hes not the same like he used to be. Nathan would be great for the pen, but hopefully he isn't too loyal and resign.
  9. live 4 surf
    9. Posted by live 4 surf Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:56 pm EDT

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    you get the feeling that trading with the red sox or yankees is like the u.s trading with iran.
  10. KronicAlchemist
    10. Posted by KronicAlchemist Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:48 pm EDT

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    Seriously a sad day now that Santana will be gone, Something about MN and getting rid of there star talent, FOR NOTHING. But i will say that Joe Nathan is a true team player, if hes willing to sit through the rebuilding years.
  11. Mr C.
    11. Posted by Mr C. Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    Live4
    The evil-empire wanna be's are being treated like the evil-empire.
  12. t8kman
    12. Posted by t8kman Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:42 pm EDT

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    I know it's a rough day for Twin fans, but to try and find comfort in the fact that the Yankees and Red Sox didn't get his pathetic. The Twins should have resigned him. He is the best pitcher in baseball, so you pay him like the best pitcher. I am tired of owners who steal the money that should be allocated to fielding a competitive team.
  13. live 4 surf
    13. Posted by live 4 surf Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:56 pm EDT

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    christian i know !! the sox have made great strides to bring national hate their way, i think they are benefiting from patriot hate spilling over to the baseball team. go ny football giants.
  14. live 4 surf
    14. Posted by live 4 surf Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:56 pm EDT

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    why should the twins stop trading, they're on a roll. giants need a closer and we won't have to give up much. never mind our 2 class a prospects will turn into a new starter and a closer like the last time.
  15. darby
    15. Posted by darby Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:59 pm EDT

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    I think comment 9 makes the most sense even though I am not a mets fans except when the play the yankees they should get rid of wagner cause in my opionion he is not good under pressure.I have saw nathan and he really shuts down really good hitting teams.I notice he does it to boston all the time especially manny and papi all the time.
  16. live 4 surf
    16. Posted by live 4 surf Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:56 pm EDT

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    yep sports fans in minnesota are going to stay in their ice fishing huts through the summer.
  17. duane a
    17. Posted by duane a Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:49 pm EDT

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    How about Nathan in a Detroit Tiger uniform? That would't be hard to imagine.
  18. Rene/GoBoSox
    18. Posted by Rene/GoBoSox Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:48 pm EDT

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    The artical said, Nathan expects to sign a long-term contract with a championship contender, with the garage sales they have every other year that does not sound like Minn to me.
  19. aj1725
    19. Posted by aj1725 Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:48 pm EDT

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    like the bonser, nathan and liriano trade, wait and see what happens here....this trade was excellent!....i know alot about these 4 guys comming over and if at least 3 out of 4 dont make the roster in 2009, ill be shocked....obviously all this talk means nothing right now but the twins did their homework...instant success, instant name familiararity is what most of us want but the true meaning of planning is happening for the better of the twins....this is great!
  20. bbblogger
    20. Posted by bbblogger Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:42 pm EDT

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    This is one of those "say nice things"/"honey dripping" statements designed to enhance the image of the player. Nathan knows: 1) he will get a huge pay raise--from someone, 2) he does not have the same leverage that Santana has wrt to contract length and size, 3) losing teams don't pay top $ for closers, 4) it is easier to trade a closer in midseason that a starter--and obtain a better relative value (e.g. RSUX and Gagne). Nathan will be traded, but MN will wait for a better deal--and will get it!
  21. live 4 surf
    21. Posted by live 4 surf Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:56 pm EDT

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    with haren and santana going to the n.l. it's going to be tough to be a n.l. pitcher on the all star team.
  22. Kris
    22. Posted by Kris Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:53 pm EDT

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    Being a MN fan really is "trying" --Always trading their best players. Esp. the MN Twins owner. Stop being cheap and start paying your players what they deserve! We all know you have the money to do it! He obviously doesn't have a great public relations person, because he clearly doesn't know the power of keeping the fans favorite players. The fans are what MAKES a team what it is, and to get rid of the favories continuously is so disrespectful, esp. when the fans are the ones who have to pay for the new stadium.
  23. sergeant1217
    23. Posted by sergeant1217 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:14 pm EDT

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    If they had kept Santana (which is possible if a contract with the Mets isn't finalized) the Twins could have been very good. Hunter was declining and Young may be an offensive upgrade. Without Santana Liriano or someone else will really have to step up for them to compete at a high level, though it is possible.
    Someone said the Twins are a sinking ship but that is not the case.
  24. hooterville
    24. Posted by hooterville Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:13 pm EDT

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    Glad Santana is going to the NL so the White Sox won't have to face him anymore.
  25. Nick G
    25. Posted by Nick G Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:32 pm EDT

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    Nathan is dreaming. The Indians and Tigers are so stacked right now Minnesota might as well not even show up. They'll be fighting with Kansas City over 3rd place for at least a couple of years.

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