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Departures don't dissuade Nathan from desire to stay

The closer says he remains open to signing an extension and says he doesn't feel an obligation to push salary limits.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: February 5, 2008 - 12:34 AM

With the Johan Santana saga behind them, the Twins are mostly finished with their offseason business, though two questions remain:

• Will they resolve Joe Nathan's contract situation?

• Will they add a veteran starting pitcher?

Nathan is eligible for free agency after the season, and the Twins have resumed discussions with his agent, Dave Pepe, about an extension.

As of Monday, no offers had been exchanged, but Nathan said he is open to a deal, even after the departures of Santana, Torii Hunter and Carlos Silva.

"Obviously, guys have moved on and will be missed," said Nathan, 33. "But I think they have made some good moves this offseason and have at least shown they're going to be competitive."

To sign Nathan, the Twins would need an offer that reflects his status as an elite closer. But he appears less of a hard-liner about raising the salary bar for others than Santana.

After Santana got his $137.5 million contract from the Mets, his agent, Peter Greenberg, said Santana "understands he has some obligations to the market and the players coming after him."

The Yankees made Mariano Rivera the highest salaried closer this fall with a three-year, $45 million deal. The Reds gave less-established Francisco Cordero a four-year, $46 million deal.

"I don't want to be the player to ruin that [progression] by any means," Nathan said. "It's not the most important thing to me, but it's something I pay attention to. I don't want to go the opposite direction of what guys have signed for the last couple years."

Asked if he could rule out the possibility of trading Nathan, at least until midseason, Twins GM Bill Smith said: "I'm not going to rule out or rule in anything. Just like with Johan, I'm not going to comment on those discussions."

As for a veteran starting pitcher, the Twins remain open to signing one, though they remember how unsuccessful they were last year with Sidney Ponson and Ramon Ortiz.

Contrary to reports, they have little interest in Josh Fogg.

"Ideally, you'd love to have a veteran presence," Smith said. "But if we go with a young staff, we're going to rely on the bullpen to provide the support they need."

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