Hunting Street

by ru155 on Jul 21, 2008 10:31 AM PDT

Looks like there is a lot of interest in Street of late.

ChiSox, Brewers inquire about Street
Posted: Sunday July 20, 2008 08:25AM ET
The Brewers and White Sox are two of the teams to have inquired about A's closer Huston Street, SI.com has learned. Milwaukee's interest is no surprise since the contending Brewers have a willing owner, an aggressive general manager, a stash of prospects to trade and a deep desire to improve their bullpen. The interest of Chicago's South Side team is more curious since its bullpen has been among the best in baseball this year. The White Sox usually seem to favor flamethrowers, too. But they have traded for a variety of relievers in recent years, and their GM, Ken Williams, has been A's GM Billy Beane's most frequent trading partner. Should Tampa Bay become involved, they'd also have a good shot at Street, who's been a generally effective closer. The Rays are said not to have talked to Oakland about Street to date, however. The Los Angeles Dodgers could eventually show interest, as well, since they've lost their closer Takashi Saito until at least September, and maybe for the year. T

With a plethora of suitors I think Billy will sell off Street as a single with a prospect or backup in tow. This is also what Billy is always looking for in his deals: multiple buyers.

The Brewers have to be a little bothered by the fact the Cubs grabbed Harden/Gaudin, and the Cards are on a tear looking for another starter. They're gung ho right now and aren't looking beneath their feet. Apparently they've got a number of solid prospects, and who wouldn't want to grab Matt LaPorta?

I also like the Dodgers situation. They've pushed themselves back into the race and had their closer go down for the next month or so. Maybe Andy LaRoche for our new 3B? Sure he's not hitting w/ the big club, but so far he's only getting about one AB per game.

I'm not sure who the Sox have left in their system, but Billy has always had a good trade relationship with them.

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Comments

You do know Matt LaPorta was traded for CC Sabathia, right?

by mikev on Jul 21, 2008 10:33 AM PDT reply actions

but who wouldn't want to grab him?

Who needs competence as long as everyone smiles? @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jul 21, 2008 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions

ah, blanked

yeah, forgot about that. I was just glancing through the top prospects lists.

It's just more exciting with Billy Beane running the team.

by ru155 on Jul 21, 2008 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions

The fact

that there is more than one team interested in Street, can only help Beane’s chances of aqcuiring some talented prospects. Hopefully it’s either the Brewers or the Rays as they both have excellent prospects. I like your Idea about Andy Laroche, but what will happen to Chavez. He’s still signed through 2011 if I’m not mistaken, and I doubt anyone will be willing to trade for him.

by In Beane we trust on Jul 21, 2008 10:55 AM PDT reply actions

If they're both healthy, Chavez moves to first or LaRoche moves to the outfield

I mean, it’s not like the A’s lineup is chock full of good hitters that can’t be moved around.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jul 21, 2008 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions

BUT EMIL BROWN HAS WAY MORE RBIS THAN LAROCHE!!!!!

by mikev on Jul 21, 2008 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions

If Emil played 3b, I bet he wouldn't be as hated. He is so much better than Hannahan.

by theblackpearl on Jul 21, 2008 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions

I guess.

There also aren’t guys at 3B who are prospects that would be blocked.

by mikev on Jul 21, 2008 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions

LaRoche can turn into a former Dodger that the team gave up on

LaRoche can be the next Paul Konerko. I say do it. We need more right handed prospects since we are rebuilding mode.

by What Would Rickey Do on Jul 21, 2008 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions

On second thought....

he could be another Adam Piatt.

by What Would Rickey Do on Jul 21, 2008 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Chavez to DH

I don’t like the chances that he stays healthy for that much time.

by echerrst on Jul 21, 2008 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Is he better than Broxton?

Would LA trade enough to get him to have him set up?

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jul 21, 2008 11:28 AM PDT reply actions

White Sox

The Sox being interested makes me wonder if maybe they’re concerned about Jenks. He looked good yesterday, but he just came off the DL and they might want to cover themselves. The problem: The White Sox don’t really have anybody I’d want. But, still, having them interested could help boost what they get from another team.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jul 21, 2008 12:00 PM PDT reply actions

But what do they have

Didn’t we get most of their top talent for Swisher? What do you think they have to offer for a top level closer.

It's just more exciting with Billy Beane running the team.

by ru155 on Jul 21, 2008 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions

They have this outfielder with potential, Quentin, I think it is. Can't we convince Williams

he is going to struggle in the 2nd half.

by theblackpearl on Jul 21, 2008 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions

But, seriously,

I’m surprised that no one has mentioned Josh Fields. He plays 3b, his numbers in 2006-2007 in AAA, at ages 23-24, were very good. He has gone backwards this year, but that might be due to injury.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Jul 21, 2008 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Fields wouldn't be a centerpiece.

He seems to have forgotten how to get on base.

by mikev on Jul 21, 2008 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions

so he'd fit right in

Hi ho.

by danh on Jul 21, 2008 10:15 PM PDT up reply actions

A half season of PAs should certainly be taken into

account. So should the PAs of the previous seasons, unless you have a good reason why you think this half season’s of PAs are more representative of his “true” talent level going forward.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Jul 22, 2008 12:54 AM PDT up reply actions

good point

however, I believe they are going to let Crede walk after this year. Who knows.

by echerrst on Jul 21, 2008 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Their minor league talent

is very weak to say the least. They have a couple pitchers at AA ball who are performing pretty well (J. Cassel and J. Link) Cassel is a SP and Link is a CP. If BB were to trade with them I think the centerpiece would have to revolve around C.J. Retherford. He’s a 22 year old 3B in High A ball, who is hitting 280 with 15 Hr’s in close to 350 Abs. Not very good defensively though :(.

Let’s just hope he doesn’t trade him there.

by In Beane we trust on Jul 21, 2008 1:23 PM PDT reply actions

Don't the White Sox have any other Sweeneys or Gonzalez's?

I like the ones we got from them before, and as an organization the A’s seem to like the names quite a bit.

Do the White Sox, by any chance, happen to have a major league ready SS named Sweeney Gonzalez?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jul 21, 2008 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Sweeny Gonzalez

The most consistent mouse in all of Mexico?

rebuildingseason.blogspot.com

by Rebuilding Season on Jul 21, 2008 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions

I doubt Street would fetch a top prospect, though

He’s just not that good. His velocity is way down this year and he’s still very young. He doesn’t have great stuff, either. He’s ok, but not exactly someone a GM would trade for a future middle of the lineup hitter, IMHO.
Unfortunately, I think our best chance to get a stud hitter was Harden, and Billy got cold feet wondering if Harden would stay healthy long enough to fetch what he was worth. Harden and Gaudin should have been worth Rasmus to the Cards, or at least more than the return he got for them. Gallagher looks ok, but certainly not of Harden’s ilk, and Gaudin is, at the least, a very valuable utility pitcher. He’s still young enough to have major upside potential too, probably moreso than any of the other guys in that trade.
Bottom line is that he seems to be trading quality for quantity, which is great for building a farm system, but not necessarily for building a big league team.

by iceplant on Jul 21, 2008 3:20 PM PDT reply actions