Rangers general manager Jon Daniels indicated Friday that the club is unlikely to re-sign Joe Nathan.

Nathan became a free agent when he declined his portion of the $9.5 million mutual option for 2014. He'd like to return to the Rangers on a two-year deal, but the team would rather spend their money elsewhere and is confident in the other options they have at closer. "We feel like the bullpen in general is an area of strength for us and an area of depth," Daniels said. "I would expect our closer, ultimately, to be, barring something unforeseen at this point, somebody already in the organization." Joakim Soria, Neftali Feliz, Tanner Scheppers and Alexi Ogando are options to close for Texas in 2014.

RHP Joe Nathan declined his $9.5 million mutual option for 2014.

Nathan wants to re-sign with the Rangers but wants to do so on a multi-year deal. The Rangers are open to bringing him back, but they also believe they have some worthy replacements in case something can't be worked out. Nathan will turn 39 later this month, but he should be able to get a two-year deal after posting a 1.39 ERA and striking out over a batter per inning this season.

The Rangers expect Joe Nathan to decline his $9.5 million option for 2014.

Nathan triggered the option when he appeared in his 55th game of the season last month. He remains interested in staying with the Rangers but wants to do so on a multi-year deal. Meanwhile, the Rangers are preparing possible backup plans in Joakim Soria, Neftali Feliz and Tanner Scheppers. The club hasn't given up hope on Feliz as a starter, but his 2014 role remains up in the air.

Joe Nathan has indicated his desire to remain with the Rangers, but would like to secure a multi-year deal.

Nathan appeared in his 55th game of the season on Thursday, triggering an option in his contract where he can void the Rangers $9.5 million option for 2014 and become a free agent if he desires. Nathan noted that the incentive is in place solely to gain bargaining power in securing a multi-year deal, and maintains that he'd rather stay with the Rangers that move elsewhere.

Joe Nathan notched his 33rd save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning against the Angels on Monday.

The veteran closer walked a batter and struck out another. The Rangers interestingly shopped Nathan prior to the trading deadline, but ended up holding onto the 38-year-old. That was probably for the best, as Nathan boasts a 1.58 ERA and 0.90 WHIP through 48 appearances.

FOX Sports' Jon Morosi reports the Tigers have been involved in trade talks for Joe Nathan.

The Rangers have had internal discussions about possibly trading Nathan, but there hasn't been any momentum towards a deal and the Tigers are unlikely to meet their asking price. Nathan, 38, currently ranks third in the AL with 32 saves and has 1.73 ERA in 44 appearances. If traded, he would likely be replaced by Joakim Soria.

The Rangers have had internal discussions about possibly trading closer Joe Nathan, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Such a move would be a huge shock for a team intent on making a World Series run. Nathan has 32 saves and a 1.73 ERA this season, and he was the American League's closer in the All-Star game just a few weeks ago. While it still seems to be a longshot, it's worth monitoring the situation in the coming days. Rosenthal suggested Joakim Soria could fill in as the team's closer if Nathan does end up getting moved.

Joe Nathan blew his second save of the season on Tuesday, allowing two runs in 2/3 of an inning against the Yankees.

Nathan got an out before walking Vernon Wells, allowing a triple to Eduardo Nunez and surrendering a single to Brent Lillibridge -- not exactly a murderer's row of batters. Even so, the blown save was his first since May 26 and he's converted 31 of 33 chances on the season. He may be in for a bit of regression from his 1.74 ERA, but there's no reason to be concerned about the 38-year-old.

Joe Nathan has posted a 0.73 ERA over 25 appearances since May 15.

The veteran closer has given up just two runs over 24 2/3 innings in that span, restraining batters to a diseased .103/.145/.154 slash line and posting a 27/4 K/BB rate. Nathan, 38, is third in the American League with 30 saves. He remains one of the game's elite closers.

Joe Nathan has allowed just one run since May 26.

In 20 appearances over that span, Nathan has failed to strike out a batter in just two games. The veteran right-hander has posted an amazing 1.36 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 42/10 K/BB rate over 39 2/3 innings. He's first in the American League with 30 saves and has a chance to surpass his career-high of 47 saves, set in 2009 as a member of the Twins.

Joe Nathan notched his 25th save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning against the Cardinals on Sunday.

The veteran right-hander made things interesting, allowing two hits. With runners on first and second and just one out in a 2-1 game, extra innings was a possibility, which just seemed cruel to all parties involved after a three-hour delay pushed the Sunday Night Baseball game into the early-morning hours and past the six-hour mark. Thankfully for Texas, Pete Kozma lined out to third and Shane Robinson was doubled off second to end the marathon. Nathan, the ageless wonder, has a 1.67 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and a 32/10 K/BB rate over 34 appearances.

Joe Nathan recorded his 19th save of the season with a scoreless inning in Sunday's win over the Blue Jays.

It wasn't easy, as Nathan allowed a leadoff walk before the next batter reached on an error. But, after a sac bunt, Nathan struck out Jose Bautista and then got Edwin Encarnacion to pop out to end it. The veteran closer has been excellent this season, sporting a 1.78 ERA and 0.83 WHIP while converting 19 of 20 save chances.

Joe Nathan blew his first save in Sunday's 13-inning loss to the Mariners.

Nathan allowed a solo homer to Raul Ibanez in the 11th inning, erasing a one-run lead. Seattle won two frames later. Nathan is 16-for-17 in save conversions to go with a 2.21 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over 22 appearances.

Joe Nathan notched a save despite giving up a run in the 10th against the A's on Tuesday.

Fortunately for Nathan, Seth Smith's first bid for a double with two men on was pulled just foul. Smith followed that up with an actual double, but unlike the first one, it wasn't in a spot that could score John Jaso as the tying run from first. Nathan then got out of the jam from there. He's been a bit shaky with his velocity down this year, but he still has a nice enough 2.40 ERA to go along with his 12 saves.

Joe Nathan collected his ninth save of the season Wednesday in the Rangers' win over the Brewers.

Nathan allowed a double to Carlos Gomez but retired the other three batters he faced. He has a stellar 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 13/2 K/BB ratio through 12 innings this season and should remain an elite fantasy closer all year.

Joe Nathan pitched a scoreless ninth inning to preserve a 5-1 win for the Rangers over the Red Sox on Saturday.

It was a non-save situation for the Rangers closer, who hadn't pitched in a week before the outing. The Rangers had only won two games in that time, and neither were close enough to warrant use of the veteran. His sparing use isn't a commentary on his standing with the club -- the next time the Rangers need a save, we're betting it's Nathan who gets the call.

Joe Nathan served up a homer to Oswaldo Arcia in the ninth inning on Friday, but was still able to convert his eighth save of the season.

Nathan entered with two men on base and the Rangers leading 4-0, but Arcia's three-run homer made things much closer. Still, the veteran stopper battled back and preserved the one-run victory. He now owns a 2.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 10/1 K/BB ratio on the season, and remains one of the finest closers in the league.

Joe Nathan picked up his seventh save in seven opportunities Thursday with a scoreless ninth against the Twins.

Nathan's velocity remains down, and he's throwing more breaking balls to compensate. So far, it's working just fine for him, as he's allowed one run in 8 1/3 innings. He doesn't really look dominant, though.

Joe Nathan has converted all three of his save chances while boasting a 1.80 ERA and 6/1 K/BB ratio over five frames this season.

The lone run Nathan allowed came in an outing against the Rays Monday that could have been worse if not for Marty Foster's generous strike three call. Still, the 38-year-old has been lights-out otherwise and is on his way to again being one of the better fantasy closers this season.

Joe Nathan will be about a week behind the other Rangers' pitchers during spring training.

Nathan isn't injured, but the team just wants to bring the 38-year-old along slowly. He is the only one of the 31 healthy Rangers pitchers not to throw a live batting practice session yet. "At the age he is, we just want to make sure that any bullets we use down here are necessary," manager Ron Washington said. Nathan will be the team's closer again in 2013 after saving 37 games while posting a 2.80 ERA and 78/13 K/BB ratio over 64 1/3 innings last season.