Nathan Extended through 2011
Quote:
After 37 saves in 2007, Nathan agrees to new four-year contract with Twins
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Closer Joe Nathan and the Minnesota Twins agreed Monday to a $47 million, four-year contract, a deal that includes a 2012 club option on the two-time All-Star.
Nathan was in the final year of a contract that called for a $6 million salary in 2008. Several ace relievers around the majors were making far more.
Instead of negotiating an extension, the sides agreed to a new deal.
Nathan gets $11.25 million in each of the next four seasons, and the Twins have a $12.5 million option for 2012 with a $2 million buyout.
Nathan praised owner Carl Pohlad and his family for being "really committed to getting this done." Nathan also said manager Ron Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson were high on his list of reasons for wanting to stay.
"We've shown that we're committed to winning," Nathan said. "A lot of people are counting us out, but we're going to be good this year and for years to come, because we're young and a lot of our guys are hungry."
|
Soures - ESPN.
Questionable move for the Twins - investing a great deal of money in a closer for which they already have two solid replacements waiting in the wings (Guerrier and Neshek).
__________________
Say 'Dodgers' and people know you're talking about baseball. Say 'Braves' and they ask, 'What reservation?' Say 'Reds' and they think of communism. Say 'Padres' and they look around for a priest.
|