Nathan confident with move to Texas: RP Joe Nathan, who signed a two-year, $14.5 million deal with the Rangers on Monday, is confident he'll be an effective closer going forward, according to ESPN.com. He had a 4.84 ERA over 48 appearances in his first season back from Tommy John surgery but a 3.38 ERA over his final 31 of those appearances, recording 28 strikeouts compared to only five walks during that stretch. "It was huge for me," Nathan said. "It was big for my confidence." Though he lost a mile per hour or two on his fastball last season, he learned to rely on his curveball and other breaking pitches more. "I was able to command it a lot better on both sides of the plate," Nathan said. "I'm trying to use movement more and make other pitches better when my fastball isn't there." (Updated 11/22/2011)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Nathan also incorporated a changeup into his arsenal last year and plans to use it more going forward. Clearly, he's having to reinvent himself a bit as a 37-year-old coming off major elbow surgery, but as he acknowledges, the recovery should come easier for him now that he's 18 months removed from the procedure. The Rangers clearly liked what they saw from Nathan late last year and are confident enough in him to move incumbent closer Neftali Feliz to the starting rotation. Though Nathan comes with some risks at his age, he's worth drafting as a No. 2 Fantasy RP as the closer of an expected contender. (Updated 11/22/2011).
01/13/2012 01:56 2012 Fantasy outlooks: Minnesota Twins
The Twins have a long road in front of them. After having a rebuilding-type season in 2011, Minnesota is now in full-on rebuilding mode in 2012. What does that mean for your Fantasy team?
After missing the entire 2010 campaign due to Tommy John surgery, Joe Nathan returned a season ago but struggled coming off the serious injury. He posted a 7.63 ERA in his first 17 appearances -- including going 3 for 5 in save chances -- before being sidelined due to an elbow injury. He would fare much better after returning and posted a 3.38 ERA down the stretch for the Twins. He finished 14 for 17 in save chances on the year but Minnesota declined his option for 2012, so the right-hander signed a two-year, $14.5 million deal with the Rangers in the offseason. With Neftali Feliz moving to the rotation, Nathan will become the closer in Texas and should see a ton of save opportunities for a team that has made it to the World Series each of the past two seasons. While he has become an injury risk at age 37, Nathan's career 2.87 ERA shows that he can be an elite closer when healthy. Target Nathan as a No. 2 Fantasy RP on Draft Day. (Updated 1/30/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start