MLB: Ranking the Top 10 Closers in Baseball Right Now
By zacklosel
# 4 – Joe Nathan – Texas Rangers
Age: 38
2012 Stats: 2.80 ERA / 78 K’s / 37 Saves / 1.06 WHIP / 64.1 IP.
Career Stats: 2.87 ERA / 839 K’s / 298 Saves / 1.11 WHIP / 794.0 IP.
Career K/9: 10.91.
Career K/BB: 2.9.
September 24, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Joe Nathan (36) pitches to the Oakland Athletics in the ninth inning at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The Rangers won 5-4 beating the Oakland Athletics. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
After twelve solid seasons, the veteran righty may be in the twilight of his career, but clearly age, nor Tommy John surgery just two seasons prior, has had any effect on the thirty eight year old closer as of late.
With two hundred ninety eight saves over twelve seasons between San Francisco, Minnesota, and now Texas, Nathan is still effective at thirty eight, and has cemented himself as of the best closers of the last decade.
His one hundred seventy four saves over the last five seasons rank second on this list, only behind Jonathan Papelbon. And though Texas will miss Hamilton’s security, the team is still the best hitting team in baseball, and should give the veteran a good shot for at least another year getting the lion’s share of save opportunities should Nathan stay healthy.