Is Joe Nathan the best closer in baseball?

[BTOWNHESS]

Me and my buddies always play this game where we say " If you were starting a team, who would be your first choice at this position" We base it on performance, age, ceiling, etc.


We got into an argument last night about closers...I said if I were starting a team I'd take Nathan, my buddy Jeff said he would take Papelbon and my other buddy said he would take Rivera.


Now I know if you had one game only and had all the marbles on the line you'd want Rivera, but isn't that more of his experience talking. You can't start a team with a 38 year old closer.

Papelbon I love too, but he has blown a few saves lately and he's very young.

Nathan is having what I believe is his best season this year and we're talking about a guy who has put up back to back 40+ save seasons with high K's great ERA and WHIP.

This season Nathan is 24 for 25 in save opps. and the one he blew he pitched 2 innings, struck out 4 and got the win.

He has 68 K's to 9 walks in only 48 innings. thats about 1.5 K's an inning. He has a 1.50 ERA.
His record is 6-0

I think if his team was winning more close games he'd be up in Gagne of 3 years ago status...Because he only has 24 saves I think he's kinda flying under the radar this year, but the guy has been on point.



Your thoughts?

[teddy ballgame]

I think he very well could be. He has had an amazing year, being overshadowed by Papelbon, kind of like Ryan was a "hidden gem" for a while. I would take Nathan over Papelbon, because I think Papelbon has a brighter future as a starter. JMO.

[giants!]

For one year: Rivera
For the future: either K Rod, Nathan, or Papelbon

[tol1l1yboy]

BJ Ryan is the best closer in my mind...and it isnt even close. I would take him over anyone especially if I was just starting a team. The guy can seriously dominate.

[Havok1517]

I'd actually probably go Ryan or KRod to start my team. They're both younger than Nathan and K more. If Lidge can figure out whats been going on with him and fix it for good. I'd pick Lidge.

[PyRo8]

still gotta go with mariano

[BTOWNHESS]

BJ Ryan is the best closer in my mind...and it isnt even close. I would take him over anyone especially if I was just starting a team. The guy can seriously dominate.

Ryan has more blown saves (4) less K's in more innings pitched and he's only a year younger than Nathan.

[joeg24]

I think he ended up winning the one he blew too, not 100% sure though.

He sure is good, here's to hoping I didn't jinx him tonight.

[d18Mike]

Tough to say. RP inning sample sizes are too small to really say who is truly the best any given year. When you are only throwing that many innings and in save situation it could be one guy (Nathan faces the Royals or others more often. Or with BJ Ryan, the Red Sox and Yanks. I'll take anyone who consistenly gives me a 10+ K/9, low fb, low bb rate, rate and low HR rate.

If I had to pick one to stick with for the next 3 years I'd go with Ryan.

[raiders_umpire]

I'd actually probably go Ryan or KRod to start my team. They're both younger than Nathan and K more. If Lidge can figure out whats been going on with him and fix it for good. I'd pick Lidge.

Nathan 68 K's 48 IP
Ryan 63 K's 53 IP
Krod 59 K's 46 IP