Joe Nathan with 341 saves is now the active leader with Mariano Rivera’s retirement. He also has an interesting decision upcoming. Texas holds a $9 million 2014 option on Nathan it has until three days after the World Series to pick up. But by reaching a games-finished trigger, Nathan gained a 48-hour window to void the option if it is picked up and become a free agent.
The expectation is Nathan will indeed jump into free agency, although he turns 39 in November and — in general — teams are rejecting large salaries for closers. He had a terrific season (43 saves, 1.39 ERA) and there probably is a two-year deal out there for him from a contender such as the Tigers, whose bullpen ills undermined them in the ALCS. Texas, with former closers Joakim Soria and Neftali Feliz under control plus a strong set-up crew, will probably let Nathan go.
“We haven’t made a decision yet,” said David Pepe, Nathan’s agent. “I think we know what we are going to do, but there is nothing definitive. Right now, it is one step at a time and the first step has to be made by Texas whether to pick up the option or not.”
Bogaerts youngest Series starter since Cabrera
Xander Bogaerts was inserted into the Red Sox lineup in Game 5 of the ALCS, has performed well and is now a staple. He was batting seventh and playing third for Wednesday night’s Game 1.
That made Bogaerts, who turned 21 on Oct. 1, the youngest player to start a World Series game since Miguel Cabrera, then 20, started all six games of the ’03 Fall Classic for the Marlins against the Yankees. What is lost to time is Cabrera started three games in left field and three in right because — besides being younger and thinner — Cabrera was blocked at first by Derrek Lee and at third by Mike Lowell.
The last pitcher younger than Bogaerts to play in a World Series was Francisco Rodriguez. K-Rod was 20 when he appeared in four games for the Angels in 2002 against the Giants.