FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Minnesota Twins signed right-handed
reliever Joe Nathan to a two-year contract Thursday in a
complicated deal that will pay him more if he becomes the team's
closer this season.
Nathan, speaking in the clubhouse before Minnesota's exhibition
opener against Boston, said he was unsure of the specifics. The
Twins did not disclose terms, and neither did Nathan's agent, Dave
Pepe.
Acquired from San Francisco in a November trade, Nathan is
Minnesota's leading candidate to replace Eddie Guardado as closer.
Guardado signed with Seattle.
The 29-year-old Nathan, would have been eligible for arbitration
in 2005, was grateful to have some security after previously
operating on year-to-year contracts.
"That's one of the biggest things about it to me," Nathan
said.
Pepe stressed that this was a unique deal because of the
uncertainty of Nathan's role. Left-hander J.C. Romero and
right-handers Jesse Crain and Juan Rincon also could wind up
closing if they have strong springs, in which case Nathan would be
a setup man.
"We're not really sure where I'm going to be," Nathan said.
"It's structured to where they feel comfortable in case I am
setting up and also makes me feel comfortable if I'm closing."
Also Thursday, the Twins renewed the contract of right-hander
Kyle Lohse after failing to reach agreement on a one-year deal.
"We had a little different opinion of where he should be at,"
general manager Terry Ryan said.