The Twins and closer Joe Nathan agreed on a three-year extension today with a club option for a fourth. Rumor is that the deal is around a total of $47 million.

What do you think about the deal? As Natahn stands at 160 saves as a Twin, will he get to the team record of 254 in three-four seasons?

I love this deal for so many reasons.

1) It's always good to keep your best players.
2) Nathan is not going to be easy to replace if he leaves. I don't think Neshek is ready to close at all. Nathan is so lights-out. Why would you let a good thing walk away?
3) This team needed it for public relations after letting Hunter walk and trading Santana, who was unhappy.
4) It shows that Nathan is more loyal to this team and the state of Minnesota unlike Santana. I don't consider Hunter a traitor because he wanted to stay, but the Twins never bothered to talk contract couple of years ago as they made him earn his contract, which he did by having a good year last year, which got him a lucrative contract with the Angels.
5) His contract is affordable.

I agree.

I've seen a lot of people write that the "Twins are spending 15% of their payroll" and thus calling it a bad move.

I think that is a bad argument. $11 million per season for Nathan is a steal to me. The way the market it going, that is very cheap.

The Twins needed to re-sign Joe Nathan. They had already lost Johan Santana and Torii Hunter during the offseason, so keeping one of their most important players was a serious priority. I agree that the salary was lower than I expected given his demand on the free agent market, but it is good one way or the other that the Twins retained him to keep their bullpen intact on the back end.

That is indeed a good move, a very good move. I've always liked Nathan and his loyalty towards this team. The Twins have gone through many stuffs, I think it'd be a nightmare if Nathan isn't resigned.

Good job!

Yeah, I don't know, Neshek might be a good closer. But personally I'd rather not find out right now. I'd rather have him remain one of the best setup guys setting up one of the best closers.