Nathan signs 3 yr deal

[Outdoors Junkie]

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Closer Joe Nathan and the Minnesota Twins have agreed to a three-year contract extension, a deal that includes a 2012 club option on the two-time All-Star.

Nathan was in the final year of a contract that called for a $6 million salary in 2008. Several ace relievers around the majors were making far more.

The 33-year-old Nathan has a 1.94 ERA and 160 saves in four seasons since he was acquired from San Francisco. He went 4-2 last year with a 1.88 ERA, 37 saves and 77 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings.

[Bobby Bass]

Yup, listen to the interview during this afternoons game. He really likes being a Twin and wanted to be signed before the season starts. Hard to believe he has already been here five years.

[Outdoors Junkie]

And to think we got him (Nathan), Bonsor and Liriano for AJ. 

[Fawkinnae]

And to think we got him (Nathan), Bonsor and Liriano for AJ. 

And what did AJ last in SanFran? One year?

I'm thrilled to have Nathan signed.

[Outdoorsman -SD]

Maybe the Santana trade will end up being good like the AJ for Nathan and others?

[thunderpout]

The good thing is that IF we have to trade Joe later, he's still not as highly paid as some closers, and doesnt have a full no-trade clause on his contract.  Its great to have him still on the team shoring up the pen.... And we'll be using that pen alot this year I think.