Mar 21, 2008 9:29 AM EST

The Twins and reliever Joe Nathan are closer to a contract than ever before, according to the Pioneer Press.

"We're closer than we thought we were," Nathan said after his agent met with Minnesota GM Bill Smith earlier this week.

"They had very good talk. Things are headed in a good direction right now," Nathan said Thursday. "We feel very optimistic."

Nathan claims that he does not want to negotiate during the season, which gives the two parties just 10 days to agree on a deal.

Via The Pioneer Press