Closernews.com offers fantasy analysis of relievers all offseason long and we’ll also be keeping detailed tabs on the relief market here at MLBTR. Now for the latest hot stove notes regarding relievers…
- The Red Sox talked to Joe Nathan, but never made him an offer, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com. Boston was uncomfortable offering the closer a multiyear deal partly because he's 37.
- The Rockies are trying to move Huston Street because they believe Rafael Betancourt can close for them, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (Twitter links). Renck expects the Rockies to attempt to acquire a starter such as Jeremy Guthrie or Carl Pavano for Street.
- The bullpen remains the Rangers’ top priority, GM Jon Daniels told reporters, including Anthony Andro of FOXSportsSouthwest (Twitter link).
- The Red Sox, Angels, Twins, Reds, Marlins, Blue Jays and Mets are among the teams with potential interest in closers, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
If teams know that Street is available because they have someone in house the Rockies are lucky if they get a decent prospect in return. Street is a decent closer at best. Not a guy who is the missing piece to a bullpen.
I’ve always liked Huston Street; he’s vastly over paid though.
Huston Street requires only a one-year commiment for a minimum of $8 million while Joe Nathan, who is nine years older than Street, just landed a two-year commitment for a minimum of $14.5 million.
I can’t say Street is vastly overpaid.
I can, and I can also say Joe Nathan is over paid as well.
If Nathan continues to return to form as he did in the last half of this year, then he is definitely worth it. He had the most saves (246) and best ERA (1.87) for a closer from ’04 – ’09, his first 6 years as a closer, better than Mariano (243, 1.90). Tommy John surgery usually results in the player coming back stronger and if the last half of this year is any indication, he is back. From July on this year he had an opponents’ slash of .193/.239/.367 saving 11 of 12. He had 28 K’s with 21 hits scattered over 29.1 innings of work and will now have a better defense behind him. He also only had 5 walks during this time. I think it was money well spent. Better than Papelbon at 12.5mm per.
You bring up a solid argument, and is Joe Nathan a solid signing? Yes, he is. And I also agree that the Papelbon deal is crazy, I just believe Closers shouldn’t be paid huge money, and I think this is the beginning of a bad trend where closers get huge money, and don’t really pan out.
He could be that missing piece if a team like the Twins miss out on someone on the FA market right now. As the offseason winds down and the market for closers thins out I could easily see a team giving up a Pavano type for Street.
sorry bleed – The Twins aren’t gonna give up Pavano for Street. They might consider Slowey for Brothers though.
Sorry first – The Rockies aren’t gonna give up Borthers for Slowey.
Even more so if Street is dealt. Hes the Rox future closer. Wouldn’t be surprised if Brothers is the 9th inning guy at some point in 2012. It would take a lot more than a 4/5 rotation guy coming off an awful year to get brothers.
The Rockies are trying to move Huston Street because they believe Rafael Betancourt can close for them, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post Renck expects the Rockies to attempt to acquire a starter such as Jeremy Guthrie or Carl Pavano for Street.
Troy where did you get Pavano’s name out of a hat?
Since when was Carl Pavano on the trading block? Even is he is, why would he want to go to Colorado? Come on Twins help on the O’s trade Kevin Slowey instead to the Rockies for Huston Street. I do not want this fool (Street) coming to “Charm City”!
I can’t cite any directly off the top of my head but I remember reading speculations where Street and Pavano’s names came up together. While the Twins probably need Pavano to eat innings just as much as the Rockies do, there does seem to be a match there due to Minny’s need for a closer (especially with Nathan now gone). So Renck really didn’t pull a name out of a hat…he’ speculating, which is something reporters are allowed to do.
he’s (Renck) speculating, which is something reporters are allowed to do. That is fine, I don’t care if he speculates all day long. However, if the Orioles get into a bidding war with the Twins concerning Street and the O’s win the War and get Street. I am going to be annoyed. I mean why couldn’t the O’s getting into a bidding war for Doumit? Huston Street vs. Doumit. I would take Doumit everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. So here’s to Street going to the Twins, they deserve him more!
Nathan is already 37? Man time flies, he used to be the shiznit.
As far as street I see him as a guy that gets traded to a big market team that can absorb his contract and use him as a 8th inning bridge guy. Phillies? Mets? Angels? Or maybe a desperation move for Boston if they miss out on the other big free agent arms. Or the rangers if they got the money and want one of the more talented bullpens in the game.
Or a middle market team like the Orioles can use him as their #1 Closer instead of Kevin Gregg.
How about that. Teams that have recently lost a closer (Twins, Sox) might have “potential interest” in closers. Thank god for Jon Heyman- surely we would all be lost without such insightful analysis.
The Red Sox need to get Big Fat Francisco Cordero, Big Fat Matt Capps, and Big Fat Jonathan Broxton so they can have the Big Fat Four Horsemen.
Who gets to ironically represent Big Fat Famine?
Throw Bartolo Colon into the starting rotation and then sign Prince Fielder as DH, You could call them the “Tons of Fun” Seriously, though if Bartolo Colon’s shoulder is structurally sound and healthy I could go for the Orioles signing him. PS Don’t forget about Matt Albers either! Watch out Golden Coral in the Greater Boston Area!
I would think Guthrie is worth more than Street. I wouldn’t mind picking up I. Stewart and split 3b/DH with him and C. Davis. Guthrie and someone else for Stewart and Street?
Then again, Street is the exact same kind of closer we’ve picked up in years past- second/third tier closer that is injury prone. Sound like Mike Gonzalez again.
Here’s what the Orioles should do, I wish I could ad audio of an “Outrageous” French Accent for effect, but I can’t.
Orioles Trade
Reimold
Jones
Markakis
Yes the whole entire outfield!
A pitcher of the A’s choice
A’s send in Return
Cahill
Gonzalez
Bailey
Of course it would mean the O’s would have to pick up Aoki (LF) Cespedes (CF) and Beltran via Free Agency. How exciting would it be, if the Orioles took a chance on that! Of course the A’s would have to want to do it too! If you think the trade is outrageous, just like my “Outrageous” French accent, so be it. However, there wouldn’t be any second tier here, that’s for sure!
Carlos Marmol is out there for the taking. Some GM, please call Theo with any kind of a reasonable offer.
Marmol’s 9th inning against the Cardinals in the last week of the season, ( 3 walks, 1 hit batter and 1 wild pitch) propelled St. Louis right into the wildcard.
Without that debacle, St. Louis is on a golf course during the playoffs.