Closer Trade Rumors: Huston Street, San Diego Padres

The trade deadline is less than three weeks away and rumors are heating.  Closers will be a hot commidty this summer with so many bullpens in need of support for a playoff run.  Today I will cover the almost certain trade of Huston Street.  The Padres have no reason to keep him and he is in the last year of his deal.

Huston Street, SD – The Padres All-Star Closer will be dealt, nobody denies that.  The only questions is, which team will the veteran closer play for in August. Street has had an impressive, but limited season with the Padres.  After spending most of May on the disabled list, Street has since gone 2-0 with nine saves for the Padres.  His ERA sits at 1.12 and his K/9 is well above his career average at 12.00.  Many teams are looking to acquire Huston Street’s services and he will go to the highest bidder.

Teams Interested: NY Mets, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees,St. Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers.

Teams Most Likely to land: NY Mets

Dark Horse Team: Texas Rangers

The Mets have the money to sign Street, who is in the last year of his contract with a club option for 2013.  If the Mets add Street they will likely give up Daniel Murphy, a prospect and a because of the CBA, draft picks.  Still, Street is worth it and will quickly become the Mets closer, moving Frank Francisco to the setup role once he returns from the DL.  It will give the Mets a strong 7-8-9th inning relief core that includes Bobby Parnell.

Then there is the dark horse team Texas Rangers.  Street is a native Texan and would like nothing more than to return to Texas.  The Rangers have an aging, but effective closer in Joe Nathan, but would certainly want some insurance and the season wraps up and the Rangers head for the playoffs.  Their bullpen is one of the weaknesses that could prevent yet another World Series title.

My advice to Huston Street owners is to hold on for now. Granted, the only team in the bunch that would make him a closer is the Mets, it is the most likely place he will end up. As for all the Bob Geren talk, who cares.  This is a business.  Geren wants to win and so does Street.  If the Mets are willing to give up what the Padres want, Huston Street will dawn the Mets cap come August.  If he goes to the Rangers, that wouldn’t be terrible.  Granted he wouldn’t close, but he would be used to spell Joe Nathan and in case Nathan tweaks one of his old man muscles, Street will fill in nicely.