Remember Ron Davis? Twins need a legit closer

FORT MYERS, FLA. - In a few weeks, the Twins will open their $500 million ballpark with a $100 million roster.

This is no time to employ a 25-cent solution -- a flip of the coin -- to finding a closer.

A contender without a closer is like a yacht without a life buoy. The Twins have spent too much on their roster to entrust the ninth inning to a committee or a crapshoot.

Two springs ago, the Twins signed Joe Nathan to a four-year, $47 million contract, calling the deal a worthwhile risk because Nathan's presence would give them not only an All-Star closer but a deep, settled bullpen.

Sometime this week, Nathan is expected to announce that he will undergo surgery that will cost him this year and jeopardize next season. At the moment, the Twins sound as if they are considering searching for Nathan's replacement within the confines of their spring training clubhouse or are contemplating a bullpen-by-committee approach.

While Nathan's injury could cause second-guessing of the contract the Twins signed him to, I believe they had it right the first time: They need a closer.

Considering that Nathan isn't likely to return next year throwing 97 miles per hour, they'll probably need a closer next season, too.

Signing Joe Mauer to a contract extension is not the key to the 2010 season. Either he'll be in a Twins uniform or he'll bring value in a trade.

Replacing Nathan may be the key to the 2010 and 2011 seasons, given the strength of the rest of the roster.

While Jim Pohlad may be feeling that a $96 million payroll is enough to fund a winner, it makes no sense for the Twins to endanger a season when they may be one player away from starting the season with the best roster in the American League Central.

It's apparent the way they are using him that the Twins' field staff has no interest in Glen Perkins. The signing of Denard Span means that the Twins aren't going to have to worry about outfield depth for years. It's time for the Twins to package Perkins and an outfield prospect or two and pursue their next closer.

Maybe they can put together an attractive enough package to acquire San Diego's Heath Bell. If not, they need to find someone who can at least face the ninth inning with the requisite combination of stuff and composure, because the Twins' in-house candidates all lack one or the other.

Jon Rauch? He has the composure, not the stuff. Yes, he worked as a closer for the Washington Nationals, but I'd prefer someone with big-league experience.

Matt Guerrier? He has the guts, but not the strikeout pitches.

"When you're thinking about a closer," manager Ron Gardenhire said, "you're thinking of someone who can punch people out."

Pat Neshek? He could eventually become a closer, but he needs to reestablish himself as a setup man first.

Jose Mijares? His temperament and inexperience make him a risk -- and if he's a closer, Delmon Young will have to wait until after the game is over to charge at him.

The most intriguing possibility -- installing Francisco Liriano as the closer -- is also the riskiest. I've heard his name from a few people in the Twins organization, but I believe making him a closer would be a terrible mistake. He can't be counted on to throw strikes nor counted on to shrug off a blown save.

Liriano is pitching well this spring, already coming closer to his '06 form than he did last year, after a winter that rebuilt his confidence.

Last year, I thought Liriano would be best served by throwing hard for an inning or two and not spending four days between starts brooding. This spring, he's changed my mind. I think he's best served by starting the season as the Twins' fifth starter. There are those in camp who think that by midseason he could be the staff ace.

With a rotation of Liriano, Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey and Carl Pavano, and a bullpen full of capable setup men, the Twins' pitching staff could be as deep as it has been any time this decade.

Eddie Guardado and Nathan have spoiled those Twins fans who don't remember what a bad closer (Ron Davis, LaTroy Hawkins) can do to a team.

The price of trading for a good closer will probably be steep, but the price of not trading for a good closer could be steeper.

Jim Souhan can be heard at 10-noon Sunday on AM-1500. His Twitter name is SouhanStrib. • jsouhan@startribune.com