Tagged: nolan ryan
Enter Joe Nathan, Ranger’s New Closer
Clayton Shearman
TexasRangers.MLBlogs.com
- INKED — Joe Nathan shakes Ron Washington’s hand.
The first Texas signing of the winter was All-Star Closer Mr. Joe Nathan. The 37-year-old 4-time All-Star decided he wanted to be in Arlington after a four-hour dinner in the D/FW with Ranger’s General Manager Jon Daniels, Assistant GM Thad Levine and team President Nolan Ryan recently.
Nathan said, “I was completely comfortable. I knew I wanted to play here.” It’s also great that Nathan mentioned later to Ben Rogers of 103.3 ESPN Dallas Radio, that he isn’t concerned about the small ballpark and he took less money to be in Texas. That says a lot about how badly Nathan wants to win and win now.
The 2-year contract is worth 14 million and will include a team option for a third year that would give Joe 9 million. This move will give the Rangers 100 percent commitment to making the young Neftali Feliz the best starting pitcher he can be. Nathan is 100 percent healthy after surgery a year ago and will look to rebound to the 35 to 50 save season we are accustomed to.
OneStrikeAway 