Will Joe Nathan return strong?

[Mr. Baseball]

I always used to view Joe Nathan (and still do) as the best and most underrated closer in all of baseball. Since 2004, and prior to 2010, he had pitched in over 60 games in each of his first six seasons with the Minnesota Twins. His worst of the six seasons, came in 2005 when he posted a 2.70 ERA, 43 Saves, and an 0.97 WHIP. That's the worst...From 2006-2008 he had three straight seasons of posted an ERA under 2.00. Impressive doesn't even begin to describe him.

I remember even drafting him in my fantasy league in 2009 before any other closer, and that included K-Rod who was coming off a freak season of 62 saves with the New York Mets.

Okay, you get it, Joe Nathan's a great closer blah, blah, blah. That's not the purpose of this thread. The question for you is, after missing the entire 2010 season due to Tommy John Surgery, will we be seeing the same Joe Nathan in 2011?

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/sites/default/files/blogs/touchingbase/docs/images/500_nathan.jpg

[Mr. Baseball]

Any thoughts? I noticed this thread only has three views, so yeah I'm bumping it because I feel like nobody knows it's here. ;)

[JoshRedcay]

I've always had the same feelings...I start to get sick of the Rivera and Papelbon talk after awhile. He is very underrated, and it seems as though everyone has forgotten about him after his spring training injury, because he had a very impressive 2009 season.

I acquired him in a trade about half way through the season (I think it was Edwin Jackson for Nathan and Chone Figgins)...and man he did wonders for me.

I'm 95% sure he will bounce back very well, and get back to the dominant closer he was in 2009.

[Old Sweater]

Joe Nathan himself says he feels fine. I'm guessing and hoping he'll be the same great closer.

[WilsonC]

TJ has a high success rate, so there's a fair chance he returns to form I think. His age is a bit of a concern, though. He's older that he seems since he was in his late 20's by the time he established himself, and he's closer to 40 than 30. He's a lot more dominant than a typical closer, but it's also important to keep in mind that it's not uncommon for relief pitchers to regress greatly around his age even without an injury. Nonetheless, I'm cautiously optimistic about his chances.

[Beebop]

seems like people in Minnesota re not as optimistic about him than you guys. i am hoping he will come back strong and healthy, and If he does he will be one of the deadliest closers in the game... again!

[Jake]

I remember him being very solid in the regular season of the '03 when he was with the Giants, but totally blew it in the postseason. Needless to say, I was not sad to see him shipped off to Minnesota. Since then he has been a really solid closer, one of the better in the game right now. I think his acclaim is somewhat lessened because he plays in the AL Central, a division that often has a less than spectacular level of competition. Is he underrated? Yup. Do I think he'll return strong? Probably, but not as strong as he was. Like WilsonC said, he's getting older, and for a closer... that can mean you're entering dangerous territory.

[RickD]

Nathan has now asked the Twins to remove him from the closer role temporarily. They have agreed. After starting the season with 3 saves, he has blown his last few chances. Here's hoping he finds his form again!

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2011/04/twins-temporarily-remove-nathan-from-closers-role-/1

[catman]

Joe Nathan has been placed on the 15-day DL with soreness in his surgically repaired elbow. His place on the roster and in the bullpen has been taken by Chuck James, who will hopefully do a good job of getting hitters out.
Here is a story: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6603536