Reports have circulated today that Joe Nathan might required season-ending Tommy John surgery. If so, that means Jon Rauch more than likely will fill in for him this season..Rauch did quite well in that role w/the Nationals during his brief stint as their closer in '08, but since faltered during his tenure w/the Dbacks, but flourihsed as a mid-reliever after the Twins acquired him at the deadline which sent Kevin Mulvey to AZ.

The issue is that Rauch tends to fail during pressure situations and was 0-2 in his save attempts for the Twins….

I envision the Twins will end-up trying to make a deal for another closer between now and Opening Day. Otherwise, their very promising pennant hopes might be dashed…..

I also saw the Twinks are eyeing Jason Frasor. Something to keep an eye on.

Post edited 12:24 pm – March 11, 2010 by KingLouieLouie76

Dolemite said:

I also saw the Twinks are eyeing Jason Frasor. Something to keep an eye on.

Frasor will be perfect. He’s usually been extremely reilable each and every time he’s been called upon to assume the closer role. Gurrier is unproven (as a closer)  and I don’t think a contending team would take such a risk in extending him in pressure situations. However, I would agree w/you considering the other options they currently have on their roster. I must admit I have a major disdain towards Rauch since he blew several saves upon his arrival to the Dbacks at the ‘08 trading deadline. He cost the Dbacks uber 2B prospect, Emilio Bonifacio, and failed miserably. In fact… I coined the phrase…. “Rauch is the sound you make after eating Taco Bell”…. Just not someone you want to depend on whatsoever……

Jesse Crain is another option, but he's too valuable in the 7th/8th inning relief role to move into the full-time closers role….