Huston Street: rumored interest by the Indians

There’s a rumor on the Indians official site that the they might have been interested in a trade for Street during the 2008 season.

Shapiro said after the season he might be shopping for a closer. So what’s realistically available for the Indians as far as closer this offseason in free agency?

Francisco Cordero: too expensive

Octavio Dotel: possible. Dotel wasn’t a closer last year but his numbers were good enough to be one.

I just noticed Kobayashi was paid 6.5 million by Cleveland. Maybe they should let him go and they can afford somebody like Cordero then. I don’t like Kobayashi’s numbers.

Scott Linebrink: I liked him in San Diego. He’s never been used as a closer but, looking at his numbers, I don’t see why he couldn’t be effective there.

Troy Percival: One of these that had a bunch of saves but his other numbers say he is not the same. I’d take my chances with one of the in house candidates for the Indians before this guy.

Kerry Wood: Well, he’s probably the best of the bunch but an injury risk from year to year. Maybe the move to the bullpen helps him. His numbers are great, pretty much everything you’d want in a closer:

2008 Kerry Wood: 66 innings, 84 Ks, 18 BB 54 hits, 3 HR, 34 saves, 6 blown

 There’s not a lot available on this list. Cordero would probably command too much money. While Shapiro has shown an interest in the past for backing up the truck when it comes to proven closers, I think he has no chance with other teams being involved in the bidding.

And out of all of them, if he’s going to throw a ton of money out there for a closer, I’d rather he do it with Kerry Wood. That’s the guy I woud want.

So since there is not a lot realistically that the Indians have a chance at in free agency, this brings us back to getting a closer by way of a trade.

Oakland took Huston Street’s closer job away from him last year. After the All Star break, he only got 1 save. Brad Ziegler got those opportunities instead.

While Street’s ERA has fluctuated but stayed consistently good over his first four years, his peripheral numbers have been about the same. He was not quite as dominating last year but still had the good K/IP ratio and less hits than innings pitched. It just looks like his control was not quite as good as there was an increase in the amount of walks.

Huston Street just turned 25 in August.

I’d definitely want the Indians to acquire him if they could not get someone like Kerry Wood this offseason. These are the only two guys that might be attainable and are good enough to make them a clear advantage over the current in house closer candidate(s) for the Indians.

A trade for Street would cost quite a bit in players though. Billy Beane loves his trades. I don’t believe for a second that Beane and the A’s think Ziegler is better than Street. But they are in a rebuilding mode and I think they tried out Ziegler to see if he was a viable alternative so they could make Huston Street available if the right offer came along.

I think in terms of a trade offer for Street it is going to take at least one blue chip prospect (hitter) and two very good ones (probably pitchers). So let’s take a look at what the A’s might be interested in for their team that would make them be willing to trade Street.

Their starting rotation needs help. They’ve got two average starters as the 1 & 2 in their rotation right now. Their best starting prospect (Brett Anderson) is 20 and at hasn’t played in AAA yet. So I’d say the A’s would want some starting pitching back for Street, preferably close or major league ready.

I’d add one very good relief prospect to the deal, just because GMs like to get back at least one potential replacement for what they just lost.

Wow. Looking at the A’s hitters; maybe Beane should just be fired. I know they are young but other than catcher, first base, and maybe one outfield position, it is looking bad.

I’d say the A’s would definitely be looking for position players too. I think Eric Patterson is a good prospect for them at 2B. But I see a problem at SS. Crosby is a hole in the lineup and I don’t think Cliff Pennington is the answer as far as a replacement.

As much as I would hate to trade him, Adrubal Cabrera would have to interest the A’s in a possible Street deal. He offers great defense at either SS or 2B, and a decent bat already in the lineup that is just going to get better. And he’s still just 22 and will be cheap for years to come. Cabrera is the type of player that would highlight this sort of package.

If it happened, the Indians would definitely be looking for a second baseman this offseason, making Brian Roberts even more attractive. Peralta would stay at SS.

So something like this package for Huston Street:

Asdrubal Cabrera: SS/2B - MLB

Trevor Crowe OF: he could contribute for the A’s as soon as 2009 - AAA

Jeremy Sowers: LH SP - MLB

Jeff Stevens: RH RP - AAA

If the A’s would insist on a high end starting pitching prospect instead of Sowers, David Huff, Scott Lewis, or Aaron Laffey could be had but Asdrubal Cabrera would be subtracted from the package.

Either way, that’s quite a haul for Huston Street. While he’s a luxury for the A’s since they probably won’t be contending for a couple of years, the Indian’s trade offer has to compete with other teams that are interested.

Why the A’s would be interested:

An excellent OF hitting prospect in Crowe.

A great SS that is a full time player now in the big leagues in Cabrera.

Street’s possible replacement in a year or two in Jeff Stevens. His numbers are that good.

And one major league ready starting former 1st round draft pick that has been inconsistent early in his career.

It hurts the Indians by way of the top end talent given up but that talent other than Cabrera and maybe Stevens, is duplicated in the minors. Obtaining Street would solve their closer problem for the foreseeable future. It would leave them without a 2B and the deal couldn’t be done unless the Indians acquire his replacement.