Fantasy 40/40: Down Goes Nathan
Joe Nathan, closer for the Minnesota Twins, has a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament, an injury that could require season-ending Tommy John surgery. This kills fantasy owners who own Nathan in keeper or dynasty leagues (sorry Peterson). Immediately, Jon Rauch, Matt Guerrier, Jose Mijares, Jesse Crain and Pat Neshek all become guys you need to monitor and draft in AL only formats. Rauch has prior closing experience and may be the frontrunner barring a trade. Personally, I like Guerrier or Mijares. Guerrier posted a sub 3.oo ERA and sub 1.00 WHIP last year and did a great job as Nathan’s setup man. Guerrier is the harder thrower of the two and had an impressive rookie run in ‘09.
