Joe Nathan has a torn UCL

[corpusse]

What depressing news.  He'll have to wait at least a year before pitching in the new ballpark.  The Twins had such a good offseason too.

[Rounding 3rd]

What depressing news.  He'll have to wait at least a year before pitching in the new ballpark.  The Twins had such a good offseason too.

Currently the best closer in the game, that's a shame.

[Darryl]

Ouch that definitely sucks for the Twins. They were really trying to take a run at it this year. But really every year at least a half dozen closers seem to fall, I am sure someone else can step up.

[corpusse]

Ouch that definitely sucks for the Twins. They were really trying to take a run at it this year. But really every year at least a half dozen closers seem to fall, I am sure someone else can step up.

While I agree that most closers can be replaced, the Twins will have a tough time replacing Nathan.  They could always pick up Smoltz or perhaps trade for someone like Wood, but as already mentioned Nathan was the best closer in the game.  Maybe you'd rather have Rivera in the playoffs but during the regular season he is above everyone else. 

[djfreebodyremix]

i don't think he will ever be the same. a major injury at his age is a bad combo.

[Rounding 3rd]

The twins are looking at Frasor according to MLBTR.com

[trodge]

The twins are looking at Frasor according to MLBTR.com

Hopefully The Boy Wonder can play the Twins and the Cubs against each other to obtain one of our closers.

[Stieb]

that's too bad for joe &  the twins, however this guy has had to be the most over-used reliever in recent memory, tons of 2 inning saves and remember the playoffs? he might as well been a SP

[corpusse]

that's too bad for joe &  the twins, however this guy has had to be the most over-used reliever in recent memory, tons of 2 inning saves and remember the playoffs? he might as well been a SP

There are dozens of relief pitchers used more often in the last couple years alone.


He had exactly one 2 inning save last year.  A total of just 4 games where he pitched more then one inning.

They almost lost the one game playoff because of an unwillingness to use him for 2 innings.  When they got to the ALDS he pitched 1 and a 3rd innings once.   In 2008 he also only pitched more then one inning 4 times and only once going the full 2 innings.  In his entire career he's been used more then one inning in the playoffs just 3 times.  Nathan was not overused. 

[Dontavian]

There are dozens of relief pitchers used more often in the last couple years alone.


He had exactly one 2 inning save last year.  A total of just 4 games where he pitched more then one inning.

They almost lost the one game playoff because of an unwillingness to use him for 2 innings.  When they got to the ALDS he pitched 1 and a 3rd innings once.   In 2008 he also only pitched more then one inning 4 times and only once going the full 2 innings.  In his entire career he's been used more then one inning in the playoffs just 3 times.  Nathan was not overused. 

Pwned. Did I say that right, kids? "Pwned?"

[Hankdillon]

Pwned. Did I say that right, kids? "Pwned?"

Pwned is the one that I've never understood. Why Pwned? Can anyone tell me this? I feel so old.

[number17]

It means "owned," like dominated, made to look silly, etc.

I assume the derivation is from someone accidentally typing a 'p' for an 'o' (next to each other on the keyboard) somewhere famously and then it spreading from there.

Nathan is supposed to test it this Saturday and then have the surgery next week unless he's made a miraculous recovery (less than a 1% chance, I'd have to say.) Jesse Crain the closer?

[corpusse]

Mauer will sign for 200 millon + a 5 million bonus which he will donate to a "closer fund".

The smart thing for the twins is to see what they have and pick up someone mid season ether via trade or see if Smoltz is interested.  It's a big blow but unlike in previous years they should be able to scape up a few bucks at th deadline if need be.

[Hankdillon]

It means "owned," like dominated, made to look silly, etc.

I knew what it meant, but I didn't know why the "p" instead of the "o", since it's not a short form. You're probably right about it being a typo somewhere along the line though.

As for the closer thing, the Twins will be fine. Their season will not be successful or not because of Nathan being out. Closer is a ridiculously overrated position. The place they'll feel his loss most would be in the playoffs if they make it that far.

[Rounding 3rd]

I knew what it meant, but I didn't know why the "p" instead of the "o", since it's not a short form. You're probably right about it being a typo somewhere along the line though.

As for the closer thing, the Twins will be fine. Their season will not be successful or not because of Nathan being out. Closer is a ridiculously overrated position. The place they'll feel his loss most would be in the playoffs if they make it that far.

He's so good though and pretty much irreplaceable so i think it's huge deal for the twins...they'll certainly blow allot more 2 or 3 run leading games then usual.

[Hankdillon]

He's so good though and pretty much irreplaceable so i think it's huge deal for the twins...they'll certainly blow allot more 2 or 3 run leading games then usual.

There are only so many 2 or 3 run games that will be blown. If you start an inning with a lead, the chances of it being blown are quite small. In reality, closers work in low leverage situations, since they almost always come in with the bases empty and a lead. Here's an article as well that goes along with my thinking:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/sky_andrecheck/03/10/nathan.closers/index.html

[Rounding 3rd]

In reality, closers work in low leverage situations, since they almost always come in with the bases empty and a lead.

Completely agree, never understood why they get such big contracts.

In my book Nathan is currently the best at what he does and it's gonna hurt the Twins allot, you've got factor in the boost it will give other teams not seeing Nathan trotting out in the 9th. There currently isn't a guy in that 'pen who i'd feel comfortable with attemting to close games.

[Darryl]

Nathan tried throwing today and it has been decided he will have the surgery that will cost him the 2010 season.

[corpusse]

Hopefully he will recover, but as we all know that is no sure thing.

I did laugh this comment, regarding how a doctor on the mets staff will be performing the surgery

"God help Nathan if Omar Minaya and the Mets' PR team comes out after the surgery and declares it a success, because those guys stink on ice."