Joe Nathan’s 2012 Option Declined by Twins

Yesterday, the Minnesota Twins announced that they are declining Joe Nathan’s 2012 option.  Nathan, the Twins’ all-time saves leader, would have made $12.5 million if Minnesota exercised the option.  Instead, Nathan will receive a $2 million buyout and is set to hit the free agent market.

Minnesota has indicated that their decision to not pick up Nathan’s 2012 option does not mean that they are ready to part ways with their veteran finisher.  Twins’ general manager Bill Smith told reporters that he has reached out to Nathan and his agent and “expressed our interest in re-signing” the closer.

As with similar moves made in Philadelphia this week, the Twins’ decision surprised few.  A year removed from his Tommy John setback which caused him to miss the entire 2010 season, Nathan totaled 44 2/3 innings over his 48 appearances this year.  The right-hander maintained an ERA of 4.84 in 2011, but that number is a bit inflated due to his rocky start.

Before he was shut down in May, Nathan’s ERA had ballooned to 7.63 over his first 17 appearances.  Returning in late June, Nathan rebounded for an exceptional July in which he maintained a 0.79 earned run average over 11 1/3 innings.  Nathan had a mediocre last few months but did successfully complete his final 11 save opportunities.

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