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Joe Nathan Out For Season: Is his career in MLB over?

By Connor Muldowney

Apr 6, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joe Nathan (36) point to home during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Detroit won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joe Nathan (36) point to home during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Detroit won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 8, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joe Nathan (36) at a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joe Nathan (36) at a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Why Joe Nathan’s Career Isn’t Over Yet

The 40-year-old spent 14 seasons in the majors, giving opposing batters fits in the late innings, saving a total of 377 games while recording a career-2.89 ERA.

While he had a tough season with Detroit in 2014, the organization and fan base just may not have been the right fit for him. Sure, he will have to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery — most likely — but pitchers have come back from that in the past to be even better than they were before.

At his age, Nathan knows that he will not have the same type of velocity year after year that he had at the beginning of his career. At 40 years old, he knew going into his contract with Detroit that he would have to re-invent himself as a closer and start throwing some more off-speed stuff.

I get it, he’s already over 40 and needs to undergo surgery to repair a torn UCL, what’s the point in giving him another chance in 2016? There will be some teams out there who will be looking to add some solid bullpen help and Nathan will be an attractive target for many organizations. Yes, he’s coming off Tommy John, but don’t forget that two years ago, at the age of 38, he had his best season as a professional.

If you’re going to sit there and say none of the 30 MLB teams will give Nathan a shot next season even as a mid-relief pitcher, you’re lying to yourself.

Nathan’s days as a closer may be over, but not his career, right?

Next: Why Nathan's career is definitely over

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