Nathan: I want to stay with Twins

Nathan is a freak....no doubt. but you gotta wonder how he returns from such an injury

Elbow is good, shoulder is a crapshoot.

Sounds fine

He is not going anywhere with that contract and injury. If he comes back 100% they keep him, if not , no one would want him at that price.

as good or better than anyone in baseball

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 10:53 AM ET  07.16 by trooper707

as good or better than anyone in baseball

Not exactly, but close.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 11:10 AM ET  07.16 by AllStarz Ruinating the Nation

Not exactly, but close.

When healthy, he was as lights-out as anybody. Statistically, he was the best closer in the game since he joined the Twins. I'd still take Rivera over him, but he would be a very close #2. Personally the only thing he lacks is the postseason success...

I want a solid gold brick to come out of my @ $ $, but I bet that won't happen either!!!!

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 11:10 AM ET  07.16 by AllStarz Ruinating the Nation

Not exactly, but close.

Well, statitistically Nathan's numbers as a closer are better than anyone's, including Rivera. That said, if you want to give Rivera the edge because of the postseason and he pitches in the Bronx so be it. Billy Wagner belongs in the conversation as well, though since he pitches in the NL he falls behind the first two.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 11:32 AM ET  07.16 by trooper707

Well, statitistically Nathan's numbers as a closer are better than anyone's, including Rivera. That said, if you want to give Rivera the edge because of the postseason and he pitches in the Bronx so be it. Billy Wagner belongs in the conversation as well, though since he pitches in the NL he falls behind the first two.

What stat exactly. Last time i lookes he was close but not equal. I an not denegrading him, Rivera is a legnd and this guy is close. Or was close. I have not looked at the stats recently, maybe Rivera has slipped a little.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 11:29 AM ET  07.16 by 00000000000000000000

When healthy, he was as lights-out as anybody. Statistically, he was the best closer in the game since he joined the Twins. I'd still take Rivera over him, but he would be a very close #2. Personally the only thing he lacks is the postseason success...

against the yanks last season we now see that nathan was hurt (he went into a tailspin in august and did not pitch well rest of the way)

but you're right that there have been other occurances.

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 12:12 PM ET  07.16 by AllStarz Ruinating the Nation

What stat exactly. Last time i lookes he was close but not equal. I an not denegrading him, Rivera is a legnd and this guy is close. Or was close. I have not looked at the stats recently, maybe Rivera has slipped a little.

Rivra hasn't slipped, in fact in some ways Rivera is having a career yer, remarkable considering his career.

That said here are the numbers, again as closers, I took out Nathan's numbers as a starter.

Nathan era 2.04 era+ 237 whip .954 k's per 9 10.9

Rivera era 2.22 era+ 205 whip 1.001 k's per 9 8.3

as for inherited runners, haven't looked in a bit but last i saw Rivera was quite pedestrian, ie he doesn't like coming in when men are on base. I never looked at Nathan.

Your gonna make me look huh?...
So i will, but first let me just reiterate, Nathan has been up there with Rivera and Papshmear for some time. He has not gotten the recognition that overrated closers like Lidge or K-Rod have gotten and I would take him as the closer on my team any day. That said i believe rivera's Ks to walks is something stupid. let me go look.

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 03:43 PM ET  07.16 by AllStarz Ruinating the Nation

Your gonna make me look huh?...So i will, but first let me just reiterate, Nathan has been up there with Rivera and Papshmear for some time. He has not gotten the recognition that overrated closers like Lidge or K-Rod have gotten and I would take him as the closer on my team any day. That said i believe rivera's Ks to walks is something stupid. let me go look.

You still codfishing? You will find that Nathan's numbers are better!

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 03:45 PM ET  07.16 by Win TWINS!!!

You still codfishing? You will find that Nathan's numbers are better!

Until the calendar hits October and he sees pinstripes. And then Nathan becomes just like Hoffman, Benetiz and Wagner.

Joe Nathan post season

8 innings, 7 earned runs, a 7.88 ERA with a 2.375 whip. You can stop comparing him to Mariano now.

QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 03:50 PM ET  07.16 by Justin Cyder

Until the calendar hits October and he sees pinstripes. And then Nathan becomes just like Hoffman, Benetiz and Wagner.

We were talking regular season!

QUOTE(#18):

Originally posted 03:54 PM ET  07.16 by Justin Cyder

Joe Nathan post season8 innings, 7 earned runs, a 7.88 ERA with a 2.375 whip. You can stop comparing him to Mariano now.

Look at the sample size, too. When a guy has less chances, those numbers are going to be a little inflated.

So i checked Baseball reference and it is not easily discernable where you are deriving your #s from, career or last year, nathan is not pitching this year, as you know, and Mo is having an even better year this year than he has in some time, go figure.

so, 2009
Nathan ERA 2.10 Whip .932 Ks/9 11.7 ERA+ 210
Rivera ERA 1.76 Whip .905 Ks/9 9.8 ERA+ 244

Still looks to me that it is close, the #s speak for themselves, very close.

QUOTE(#19):

Originally posted 03:55 PM ET  07.16 by Win TWINS!!!

We were talking regular season!

Yes we are...