Isringhausen Wants a Break

The Post-Dispatch's Joe Strauss today reports that there is growing concern about the work of closer Jason Isringhausen, who has already blown five save chances this year. After his most recent blow-up, Izzy said he is sick of embarrassing himself and hurting the team. He suggested a meeting today with manager Tony La Russa, pitching coach Dave Duncan and general manager John Mozeliak to find at least a temporary alternative to using him in the ninth inning. In the short term, Ryan Franklin or Randy Flores could be called on to close games for the Cards, though neither pitcher strikes...

Odds and Ends: Klesko, Street, Davis

I've got a slew of links for you. Saberscouting has a mock June draft up. Ryan Klesko officially retired. Chipper Jones let the cat out of the bag in February. Voros McCracken sees the Evan Longoria contract as a low-risk proposition for the Rays. The A's are still discussing an extension with Huston Street, though nothing appears imminent. The Giants DFA'd Rajai Davis. Anyone need an outfield burner? Sam Mellinger explains how the Hideo Nomo signing was the type of move the Royals need to make. Our Brian Bannister Q&A continues to get mileage, this time snagging a mention in...

Odds And Ends: Lowry, Street, Farnsworth, Roberts

Just a few loose links for Saturday morning. Billy Beane has talked to Alan Hendricks, agent for closer Huston Street, about an extension. However, they have been informal talks, with no specifics to mention. Don't expect much movement on this front until we get deeper into the season and see where the A's really stand. Brian Roberts is relieved now that the trade rumors are dead. "I know where I'm going to be on a nightly basis now, at least," Roberts said. "It is a relief because I think everybody wants stability in their life, but I understand that doesn't...

Odds and Ends: Harden, Bonds, Ramon Hernandez

Time to round up today's linkage. Susan Slusser believes Rich Harden and Joe Blanton will both be traded this season. She sees the Yankees and Mets as suitors for Harden, though he's already having a start pushed back. Jim Caple recently made his case for the Mariners to sign Barry Bonds; his logic is sound. Our Brian Bannister Q&A got a mention in the KC Star. Nice! RotoAuthority has the fantasy take on K-Rod's ailing ankles. Pure speculation, but Ken Rosenthal thinks Ramon Hernandez would be a good fit for the Reds. Not sure if the Reds were looking at...

Tigers Want Huston Street?

According to Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger: The Tigers, desperate for a pitcher at the back end of their bullpen, are trying to have serious discussions with Oakland about closer Huston Street. But so far, the A's have not even decided if they want to trade Street. And if they do, they're likely to ask more than the Tigers have to offer. We talked about Street a couple days ago. Jon Heyman believed the asking price would be huge; Susan Slusser suggested the A's might wait until midseason. The Tigers aren't a great fit given their farm system.

Heyman Discusses Huston Street

SI.com's Jon Heyman says "some executives believe Huston Street is available for a steep price." Last we've heard the A's were talking extension with Street. In January, the Chronicle's Susan Slusser had this to say on him: Street opens the season with the team but potentially could get moved by the deadline if a contender were to lose a closer, but overall, he's less likely than Blanton to get dealt - he's three years younger and, coming off an arm injury, he's not going to bring back as much. To help describe Street's likely high price, Heyman tells us that...

A's Talking Extension With Street

According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the A's are discussing a long-term extension with closer Huston Street. Slusser says a deal would likely cover Street's last two arb years and possibly his first of free agency. I have no idea if Street wants to break the bank. But if he compares himself to K-Rod, he could ask for something close to $17MM for 2009-10. The low end for Street's last two arb years would have to be around $12MM. The A's could point to J.J. Putz's deal signed a year ago; he exchanged quite a bit of...