FO continues to make moves; signs Nathan
It isn’t a huge story, but the front office of the Chicago Cubs continues what they did a season ago and signed another veteran relief pitcher: Joe Nathan.
The six-time All-Star is still recovering from Tommy John surgery back in April of 2015, and will be immediately placed on the 60-day DL.
I love this deal by Theo and Jed. Just as they did with Rafael Soriano and Fernando Rodney in 2015, the Cubs are taking a flyer out on one of the most successful closers over the last decade.
Even though the bullpen (and pitching staff as a whole) look good now, Nathan will provide flexibility, assuming he rehabs nicely and the team thinks he can provide beneficial results.
Nathan accumulated 375 saves from 2004 to 2014, including four 40-save seasons. In his last three full seasons (two with Texas and one with Detroit), he was great AND pretty rocky.
He posted ERA’s of 2.80 and 1.39 in 2012 and 2013, respectively, in his last two years with Texas. In his first year with Detroit, he collected 35 saves, but saw K/9 drop by nearly two and his BB/9 increase by nearly one and a half. Nathan threw one-third of an inning in 2015 before suffering the injury.
There’s literally nothing to lose here I was hoping the Cubs could make something work with Tim Lincecum, but this appears to be the safer route (and cheaper). Nathan is likely close to retirement anyway (especially if this doesn’t work), so the Cubs are just trying to get whatever they can that’s left out of the former closer.
The 41-year old righty is expected to be back after the All-Star break.
*Featured image is courtesy of InningsEater Sportsblog
