The Twins just announced today that they have signed Joe Nathan to a to a deal through 2011 with a club option for 2012. Terms were not disclosed in the release but Twins play-by-play announcer John Gordon was reporting at one point in today’s broadcast that the deal was 4 years and 44 million.

A set of Twins fans that tend to be on the pessimistic side of things don’t think it’s worth signing a closer when the Twins are in the midst of rebuilding after unloading Torii Hunter and Johan Santana. Why waste the cash if the team can’t even get a lead to Nathan?

The case for signing Joe Nathan is quite simple though for the Twins. They need to sign an asset like Joe Nathan if they can do it at a fair price. Then if they decide down the road that they want to trade him, they can get fair value in return. We should have learned in the Santana and Hunter fiasco’s that you are more likely to get what you want in a trade if you have your guy locked up for a while.

So do I think the Twins will trade Nathan? No. I think the Twins believe they are close to contending and paying Joe this year is something that is worth it. I agree with this move. It looks like they do have a plan and are building towards a run in 2010.

I just saw on the MLB Transaction list that the A’s have signed former Twin Matt LeCroy to a minor league contract. This comes as a result of A’s minor league catcher Jeremy Brown retiring for personal reasons and the A’s would like another catcher in spring training. Chances are slim that Matt will get a season long gig out of the deal.