The Swirling Winds of Trade: Houston Street to Boston?

As if the Red Sox losing Jonathan Papelbon hasn’t created enough discussion around who should be the club’s next closer, you can now add another name to the list of potential suitors.  Houston Street, the current closer of the Colorado Rockies is the latest name to be linked to the Red Sox as a possible replacement for Papelbon.

But as SI.com’s, Jon Heyman first reported, the Red Sox are not the only team looking at Street as Toronto, the New York Mets, Orioles, Reds and Marlins have all shown interest.  While the Rockies will want to get Street off their books at $8 million for next season, it may now become a bidding war, driving up the price with Colorado walking away the winner.

Should the Red Sox aggressively pursue Houston Street and bring him in to be the next closer?  Let’s take a look.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, makes mention that he can see the Orioles sending starter Jeremy Guthrie to Colorado, being a nice fit for the Rockies.  While Rosenthal goes on to mention that he feels the O’s could receive better long-term assets than Street, it gives a bit of a gauge as to what the Rockies will be or could be seeking for compensation.

An attractive stat on Street is his age.  He’s only 28 and has been closing out ball games for seven years.  He broke into the league with the Oakland A’s in 2005 and spent four years in the Bay Area before being dealt to the mile high city after the 2008 season.

Last year with Colorado, Street converted on 29 out of 33 save opportunities while sporting a 3.86 ERA in 62 games.  His WHIP was 1.217, a career high, while averaging 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings.  His best season came in 2009 when he saved 35 games, had an ERA of 3.06, a career best WHIP of .908 and averaged 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

In 2005 Street was the AL Rookie of the Year, saving 23 games out of 27 opportunities while conducting a 1.72 ERA.

Career wise, Street has an 82.4% save conversion rate, going 178 for 216.  That rate is the same as Francisco Cordero‘s career conversion rate and  Cordero will likely make around $8 million next season.  BoSox Injection recently took a closer look at Cordero and whether he’d be a good signing for Boston.  He was a no then in my opinion and he remains a no today.

Back to Street.  What would it take to lure the Texas native away from the snowy hills of Denver?  If we go by Rosenthal’s report of Guthrie being a likely candidate to go the other way, suddenly Street may be out of the running.

Would Josh Reddick be enough to send to Colorado?  Probably not.  Granted the Rockies are trying to part ways with is $8 million salary and he does have a team option for 2013 valued at $9 million.  Should some of the interested team’s decide the investment is too rich, then perhaps the Red Sox can make a move on him.

Giving up Kevin Youkilis for Street is just absurd and shouldn’t even be muttered, but seeing how we’re looking at every option I’ll put it down. Building a multi-player package to go both ways could be interesting, but for now we’ll focus on Street alone.

When it comes to prospects, the thin Red Sox may not want to part ways with what they currently have.  Lower value prospects like Bogaerts, Bentz or Vasquez would have to bundled and there again you’re parting ways with multiple minor leaguers, taking the cupboard from sparse to breadcrumbs.

Depending on what happens with right field and potential free agent’s, one fit could be sending Ryan Kalish and Lars Anderson for Street, although again, it’s a couple of unproven youngsters for a proven closer making Colorado hesitant if not down right insulted.

This is a tough one.  I don’t see how the Red Sox could get Street without giving up too much.  Of course if Colorado wants to dump him relatively cheap then they may have a shot.  If they want pitching prospects then Toronto is the front runner.

While the thought of having Street close for one year and then hand the reins over to Bard in 2013 is a great option, you’d likely give up too much for Street for that one year.

Stick to free agents Ben, the compensation will be less and when looking at Heath Bell, he will be a better choice.

For all the latest news and analysis from BoSox Injection, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or with our RSS feed.