An easy decision for Bill Smith – the Twins exercised Joe Nathan’s 2008 option for $6MM today. Nathan will earn about half the salary he’s worth, but we haven’t heard any complaints from him.
The two sides have talked on and off about an extension for some time now. I have to think 4/40 would be the bare minimum home team discount Nathan would accept. Spending even that kind of money on a closer doesn’t seem to be the Twins’ style, so maybe they will explore a trade. It also wouldn’t be surprising to see Nathan just play out his last season as Torii Hunter did.
