Last year, Eddie Guardado was the closer for the Minnesota Twins.  The results were good, but there were too many edge-of-your-seat moments in the ninth inning for my comfort. 

I don't think that it makes much sense to have a soft-throwing lefty as a closer anyway.  That said: Eddie G. has had a lot of success as a closer.  So much for conventional wisdom...

After griping about their contracts last year, set-up man LaTroy Hawkins, and closer Eddie Guardado left via free agency.  Local media and fans were worried about instability in what had previously been the team's strongpoint.

Luckily for all of us, the Twins were able to acquire Joe Nathan via trade with the San Francisco Giants. 

This season is Joe Nathan's first as a closer, although he had been a successful set-up man in San Francisco.  Thusfar he has been fantastic!  The Twins haven't had this strong of a closer since Rick Aguilera closed games in the 1991 season.

Joe Nathan has been the best addition to the Twins this year.  I am awfully happy that they've added a right-handed power pitcher with good control to close-out the close games.

Joe Nathan's stats from Twinsbaseball.com:

(I found this picture on Google.)