BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: Padres get Huston Street from Rockies to replace Heath Bell

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Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Padres get Huston Street from Rockies to replace Heath Bell

UPDATE: Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports that it’s a done deal, with the Padres assuming “most” of Street’s contract and sending the Rockies a player to be named later in exchange….

Olney describes the talks as “ongoing” and Street has been linked to several other teams at various points this month, with the Rockies now preferring Rafael Betancourt in the ninth inning.

He’s pricey at $7.5 million with a $9 million option or $500,000 buyout for 2013, but Street is still just 28 years old with a 3.11 career ERA that includes a 3.50 ERA and outstanding 170/33 K/BB ratio in 167 innings for the Rockies. Toss in the fact that going from Coors Field to Petco Park would solve his issues keeping the ball in the ballpark and Street could really thrive in San Diego as Heath Bell‘s replacement.

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: December 07, 2011 at 05:20 PM | 9 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: padres, rockies

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1. Nasty Nate Posted: December 07, 2011 at 06:01 PM (#4009239)

Why wouldn't they just use Frieri or Gregerson as closer instead?

2. A triple short of the cycle

Posted: December 07, 2011 at 07:20 PM (#4009360)

I like Street (I am an A's fan after all) but totally agree w Nate. Why pay top dollar for a marquee closer? This is something that mid and low payroll teams should not be doing.

3. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: December 07, 2011 at 07:24 PM (#4009366)

Why pay top dollar for a marquee closer?

$7.5M is hardly top dollar.

SD plays lots of close games due to the hitting environment, so, I think good RP has a lot of value to them. More than the avg. team.

4. A triple short of the cycle

Posted: December 07, 2011 at 07:29 PM (#4009381)

$7.5M is hardly top dollar

Snapper - I'd say it is, for a relief pitcher, if you're the Padres, Athletics or other low budget team. But you make a good point, if you're a borderline contender and those high-leverage innings are even higher leverage in the broader sense. I am just used to soaking in the Moneyball mindset that closers grow on trees. The A's are able to consistently find all star caliber closers for next to nothing. (Why they signed Fuentes last year I don't understand.)

5. Davo Malvolio Posted: December 07, 2011 at 07:33 PM (#4009387)

I don't understand this for either side, honestly.

I'd say Street's a good bet to be worth the $7.5MM, but...why now?

6. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: December 07, 2011 at 07:35 PM (#4009389)

Maybe they're banking on him putting up good numbers in Petco, and flipping him? They got a great deal for Mike Adams. I don't really get it otherwise.

7. puck Posted: December 07, 2011 at 10:01 PM (#4009565)

I don't understand this for either side, honestly.

For the Rockies, it's a salary dump. They except Betancourt, Brothers, and Lindstrom to handle late inning duties. Meanwhile, this frees the money for them to go out and get someone like Polanco, who will help fuel their 2012 run to mediocrity.

8. jdbkaput Posted: December 07, 2011 at 10:04 PM (#4009571)

All's dependent on who the PTBNL is (guessing it's a Spring Training pick from a host of B prospects), but looks decent to me. The Padres have a solid core of young talent with loads in the pipeline, and if they're out of contention come July, they can flip Street and his Petco-deflated ERA for a couple of solid prospects.

Surprising that the Rockies would deal him to a divisional rival. Guess O'Dowd has resigned himself to full rebuilding mode.

9. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: December 07, 2011 at 10:33 PM (#4009609)

Why pay top dollar for a marquee closer?

They could probably get a Marquis closer for a good bit less than that.

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Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Padres get Huston Street from Rockies to replace Heath Bell

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