Rangers sign Joe Nathan

[rosslive99]

Saw it on rotoworld...2 year deal with an option for a third. I know Joe used to be a beast when he was with the twins, havent seen anything since he had his tommy John. There's a story right below it saying with the signing its expected Feliz will go into the rotation.

 

[gregrey972]

I never saw this coming

Joe Nathan signed by the Rangers today to a 2 yr deal with a 3rd yr option for $14.5 million...I would think this moved Feliz to the rotation and gives the Rangers a lil clout in the negotiations with CJ...this caught me by surprise and I hope it works out well with Nathan's recent injuries and Feliz's lack of experience and polished secondary pitches

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

per newberg: Texas, according to multiple local reports, has signed veteran closer Joe Nathan to a two-year deal, $7 million deal with an option for a third year.

As long as Nathan is healthy, Neftali Feliz is your newest Texas Rangers starting pitcher.

More in the next Newberg Report.

-----

And now there are reports that the deal actually guarantees $14.5 million (when the third-year buyout is added in).

This is no Brandon Webb flier.

 

[jta4437]

Feliz doesn't lack secondary pitches, he's just not forced to use them much in a closers role, hopefully they tighten up a bit with regular use

Feliz will need a good game calling catcher when he catches so that he'll be forced to mix up his pitches some

 

[JohnRandle]

That sucks for the Twins.
It took him half the season to get his arm back, but the second half he pitched very well.
It's a good signing for sure.

 

[jta4437]

3.91 ERA in the 2nd half, vs 5.82 in the 1st coming back from Tommy John, other numbers looked pretty solid

Think Nathan will end up being a good pick up, but just a bit more than I would've paid, but not totally unreasonable

 

[guitarmy21b]

Awesome! I lived in MN for a few years and watched the Twins while he used to dominate. I know he struggled last year and lost his job for a little while, but I think he can return to form. I like Joe, he's a solid guy and I think he'll fit into the club nicely.

As for Feliz, I hope this means he's going to be starting and also just to co-sign what jta said, he DOES have other pitches, he's just never needed them as a closer. I think he'll have a lot of success. Well this was an interesting move and it's starting to clear up what kind of direction we're moving in, man I can't wait for next season!

 

[guitarmy21b]

Just read it on the Ranger's homepage that Nefty will officially be in the rotation. Hell yeah!

 

[gregrey972]

Yes I know that Feliz actually possesses secondary pitches...I said polished secondary pitches...throwing a change-up or curveball and commanding those pitches are two entirely different things

 

[jta4437]

Yes I know that Feliz actually possesses secondary pitches...I said polished secondary pitches...throwing a change-up or curveball and commanding those pitches are two entirely different things

they look plenty good when he's actually forced to throw them regularly

 

[bone3421]

thats exactly what ive been saying,,,,get a cheap closer and move feliz,if it doesnt work we can move adams and still have a decent arm in the pen(nathan)...this also in my plan makes room for prince....we shall see but i like this move

 

[AGZBASEBALL]

Never saw it coming either. Its a Great Move if Nathan bounces back and regains his Form. Hopefully He is Healthy. Sure JD and Ryan checked this out before making this Move. Hope to add other pieces as the Rangers go thru the Free Agent Process. Still early in the Game.

 

[romeo212000]

If you're going to move Feliz in, why not go after Mandsen? Much more solid of an option in my opinion, especially for the money they're spending. Then you could have a backend bullpen of Uehara (assuming he regains form), Lowe, Adams, Madsen. As it stands now I'm not really sold on Nathan.

 

[jaar01]

2 quick thoughts:

Nathan is OK. Madsen or Bell would have been better.

Bye CJ

 

[romeo212000]

It's very smart on Nolan's part to make this move. He just went a message CJ had to hear loud and clear: We like you CJ and want you back, but we're not going to beg you. We're moving forward. Are you in or out?

 

[romeo212000]

Think he will be the closer or Adams? Still would have liked to see them go after Madsen.

 

[guitarmy21b]

From my buddy in MN

"Washed up :P I like him but Idk if he can come back"

This statement is part true and part him just trying to ruin my enjoyment because he's like that. For the record, Nathan's terrible month of April really was disastrous towards his ERA. He wasn't great last year by any means except for July but he wasn't as bad as his record indicates. All bias aside it's a risky signing and we might have overpaid a little bit but if he is in fact washed up, we still have Adams. If it works out though, he's one hell of an addition to the bullpen. Honestly I think they should compete for the job. I don't think it should automatically go to Joe. Adams is a beast!

 

[jta4437]

Think he will be the closer or Adams? Still would have liked to see them go after Madsen.

Madsen is who I would've preferred as well, but Nathan should be good too, I think Nathan will be the closer, especially for that kind of money

 

[jta4437]

Judging by his 2nd half, I think he's a ST away from being fully bounced back, but he was pretty good in the 2nd half last year, minus a couple hiccups,

Would've preferred Madsen, but I'm glad they were aggressive and got something done quickly

 

[scotsman1948]

It's very smart on Nolan's part to make this move. He just went a message CJ had to hear loud and clear: We like you CJ and want you back, but we're not going to beg you. We're moving forward. Are you in or out?

that has to be the message Nolan is sending to CJ. makes me wonder if they do re-sign CJ, does this move spell the end of Colby Lewis?