Rangers start offseason with aggressive signing of Joe Nathan

It didn't take long for Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels to fire up the hot stove and cook up a free agent offseason signing.

Texas signed Minnesota reliever Joe Nathan to a two-year, $14 million deal on Monday night. The acquisition confirms Neftali Feliz's transition from Rangers closer to starter, and more than likely signals the end of the C.J. Wilson (free agent) era in Arlington.

I'm trying to figure out whether I like the move or not. On the surface, it definitely makes sense, especially if Wilson is going to walk like everyone expects. Nathan's experience as an elite closer, combined with the presence of Mike Adams, should keep the Rangers bullpen more than serviceable. Moving Feliz to the rotation could lighten the hit the rotation would take with the departure of Wilson.

But I have questions and concerns. First, how healthy is Nathan? From 2004-2009, he was one of the best closers in baseball, but Tommy John surgery forced him to miss the entire 2010 season, and he reportedly wasn't 100 percent in 2011. I still like the 48/14 K/BB ratio last season, but the 4.84 ERA calls into question whether his control is, well, under control.

In trying to sort out the majority of the pitching staff, my guess is that the starting rotation will start with Colby Lewis and be followed with a combination of lefties Derek Holland Matt Harrison, and righty studs Alexi Ogando and Feliz. It should be interesting what order Daniels and manager Ron Washington draw up, but Lewis would likely be the ace in this scenario. Scott Feldman, who showed promise toward the end of 2011, provides much-needed depth as the No. 6 man.

As for the bullpen, my gut reaction was to wonder why Nathan would immediately be handed the closer job when Mike Adams is the superior reliever, four years younger (at age 33) and not a year removed from TJ surgery. I felt a little better after thinking about Nathan and Adams being comfortable with the closer and eighth-inning roles, respectively. Nathan hasn't really ever been an eighth-inning guy, while Adams hasn't ever been a closer. Plus, Daniels forked over $14 million to Nathan for the next two years. I suppose the only way Nathan loses the closer job is a complete meltdown.

Daniels and his ability to identify talent are the main reasons I'm confident with this deal. I'm not about to question the move of a GM who completely reshaped my favorite franchise in pro sports, while also leading them to back-to-back American League Championships.

The Rangers window for winning division titles is wide open for the next several years, and the front office deserves credit for piecing together a legitimate winning product with staying power. The Texas Rangers aren't going anywhere in the scope of winning division titles, so I'm on board with this move and the long-term vision of Daniels and the front office. The last two years should have earned them every Rangers fan's trust.