As expected, Twins closer Joe Nathan will miss the entire 2010 season and have Tommy John surgery in hopes of being back and ready for the 2011 season.
"It didn't go like we hoped," Nathan said [after playing catch today]. "We knew it was a longshot, but I think this will clear my head. There definitely was no gray area. It was definitely on the dark side. We know now that we're going to need to go in and have some surgery done and get this thing taken care of."
Based on the current pitchers on the roster, Jon Rauch is the most likely replacement for Nathan. Rauch has 26 career saves, of which 17 came with the Washington Nationals in 2008.
"He's got all the closing stuff: punchout pitches, the whole package," [manager Ron] Gardenhire said [of Rauch]. "Whether he wants to do that or not or whether it's the right thing to do remains to be seen."
In addition to Rauch and other internal candidates, such as Matt Guerrier and Pat Neshek, the Twins could make a move for San Diego closer Heath Bell.
If so, that would likely move Luke Gregerson into the closer's role and obviously increase his fantasy value.
After the All-Star break, Gregerson had an ERA of 3.13, WHIP of 1.10 and struck out 53 batters in 37.1 innings.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Mauer to be a Twin until (at least) 2018
Perhaps he could have earned more elsewhere.
Regardless of whether or not that's the case, Joe Mauer, a St. Paul native, will be the Minnesota Twins catcher through the 2018 season.
Mauer and the Twins agreed to an eight-year extension that will pay him $184 million and includes a no-trade clause, per ESPN. This would have been the final season of his four-year contract.
According to MLB.com, a press conference will be held at 6 p.m. central time on Monday to officially announce the deal.
Had Mauer tested the free-agency market in the fall, ESPN's Buster Olney believes that he could have commanded in the range of $250 million.
Despite being only 26 years old, Mauer is the American League's reigning MVP, has won three batting titles and two Gold Gloves.
In fantasy baseball, he's the consensus first catcher drafted and is a borderline first-round pick with an average draft position (ADP) of 12.71, according to MockDraftCentral.com.
Regardless of whether or not that's the case, Joe Mauer, a St. Paul native, will be the Minnesota Twins catcher through the 2018 season.
Mauer and the Twins agreed to an eight-year extension that will pay him $184 million and includes a no-trade clause, per ESPN. This would have been the final season of his four-year contract.
According to MLB.com, a press conference will be held at 6 p.m. central time on Monday to officially announce the deal.
Had Mauer tested the free-agency market in the fall, ESPN's Buster Olney believes that he could have commanded in the range of $250 million.
Despite being only 26 years old, Mauer is the American League's reigning MVP, has won three batting titles and two Gold Gloves.
In fantasy baseball, he's the consensus first catcher drafted and is a borderline first-round pick with an average draft position (ADP) of 12.71, according to MockDraftCentral.com.
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