HBT: Twins decline option on Joe Nathan

UPDATE: It?s official, as the Twins announced that they?ve declined Nathan?s option and hope to re-sign him at a lesser salary.

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No surprise, but Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that ?all signs point to the Twins declining Joe Nathan?s $12.5 million option for 2012.?

Nathan missed all of 2010 following Tommy John elbow surgery and struggled upon returning this year, but pitched very well down the stretch after a stint on the disabled list.

However, the decision between a $12.5 million option or $2 million buyout is a no-brainer for the Twins even if they?re interested in having Nathan back in 2012.

He threw 29 innings with a 3.38 ERA and 28/5 K/BB ratio from late June through the end of the season, but Nathan?s velocity was below his pre-surgery levels and he?s a 37-year-old entering a market saturated with veteran closers.

Source: http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/25/twins-expected-to-decline-12-5-million-option-on-joe-nathan/related/

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