Thinking more about Huston Street

by Travis G on Jun 7, 2009 10:18 PM EDT in Analysis Comment 22 comments

Ed brought up his name in a discussion not long ago. What is he worth to the current Yankee team? What should we give up to acquire him?

We'll start with the good:

1. He's young. Street's just 25, and already has four-and-a-half years of ML experience. He's pitched nearly as many innings as Joba and Hughes combined (291 vs. 319).

2. He happens to be very good. He would immediately become our second-best reliever (I'm not considering Hughes a reliever, while Aceves, Robertson and Coke haven't built up enough innings to make sounds judgments on them). His career K/BB is better than such relievers as Jon Broxton, J.J. Putz, Brad Lidge and Bobby Jenks.

3. He would (hopefully) finally put to rest the 'Joba to the pen' argument. He could set up for Mo until he (possibly) retires after 2010, and then take over that role.

4. He should only get better. He has yet to reach the beginning of his peak (which historically begins around 26-27), so we'd have his best years still ahead of us. And remember, Mo didn't become a full-time reliever until 26.

5. He's relatively cheap. Street is arbitration eligible for two more years, and only then will become a free agent.

And the bad:

1. While he's very good, he's not elite. His career ERA+ is 148, which is all nice and good, but he's never regained the form he had in his rookie campaign (when his funky delivery was still confusing batters). His save-conversion rate is a decent 78%, while Mo's is 89% (though that doesn't account for run margin). If the Yankees average 45 save opportunities, Street will convert 35 while Mo will convert 40.

2. He allows fly-balls. It may not have been a legitimate concern in years past, but bringing a fly-ball pitcher into the bandbox known as the New Yankee Stadium may be asking for trouble (though there's a chance they make 'corrections' to deflate homers).

3. Because of his low salary, the cost in prospects would be high. While Montero's off the table, A-Jax is an option, as are other non-elite prospects like Zach McAllister, Dellin Betances and Mark Melancon.

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Got to disagree with you

I would move Montero before AJax. Jackson is closing in on MLB ready, and the Yankees will have a need next season in the outfield either in CF or the corners. IF Montero can remain at catcher, he still won’t realistically be MLB ready for another several years.

That said, I don’t think I’d move Montero for Street unless it was a one for one deal.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jun 7, 2009 10:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ehhh

On your pros.

1. yes he’s young. he’s also comming off a pretty bad season for a closer where his ERA+ was just a tick above average. meaning that he was actually below average ERA wise for a reliever.

2. his FIP so far this year is 4.25 . that’s not good at all. granted part of the problem is Coors. but he’s also pitching in the lite hitting NL west.

3. Only if he’s good. otherwise it just blows it up even more.

4. relivers don’t follow the general trend of peak and decline . for that trend usually it’s only used on hitters. for what it’s worth, here’s his FIP in the last 3 season. 2.74 / 3.47 / 4.25 . he was very consistent FIP wise in his 3 season (all in the 2.7ish range) but it shot up significantly last year and even more so this year

5. he’s making 4.5M this year. aka a bit more than Wang. that’s good if he was an elite closer. but not if he’s not.

You do realize that Street was removed as the Rockies’ closer during April right? he’s gotten it back since and have looked better. but the overall line is still pretty scary.

I certainly would be willing to trade for him. but I’m not particularly intrigued by the prospect of that considering his perceived value likely outweight his actual value significantly.

by RollingWave on Jun 7, 2009 11:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A-Jax no way!

He is the Yankees best prospect and you want to trade him for Huston Street?! That’s just down right stupid!

by fob22 on Jun 8, 2009 12:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

thanks!

just bc he’s the Yanks #1 prospect doesnt mean he’s an elite prospect. Ajax has ONE homerun on the year and almost 60 Ks!

by Travis G on Jun 8, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn’t trade either Montero or Jackson for him, but maybe a package of 2 decent pitching prospects would work.

by Wraithpk on Jun 8, 2009 12:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

AJax is untouchable IMO ...

Unless you’re getting a marquee name in return, and Huston Street ain’t marquee.

by .ryan on Jun 8, 2009 1:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO

by Brian5517209 on Jun 8, 2009 2:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Montero

I would rather trade him then A JAX. Why because A JAX looks like a complete MLB player. While Montero is probably a career DH.

by Joba2bcloser on Jun 8, 2009 9:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Montero's

only 19 y/o tho right? Little too early to say he’s a career DH. Maybe not a catcher tho, but there’s no reason he couldn’t be a RF?

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 8, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you don't

trade a elite bat for a reliever. ever.

by RollingWave on Jun 8, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

until Ajax

shows more power or at least better discipline, he wont be either a complete player or an elite prospect.

by Travis G on Jun 8, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No to Hudson Street

I do not understand why you would want to trade away even non-elite prospects such as McAllister and others for Hudson Street. In my opinion, Street is no better than what they have right now. Hopefully, Bruney will come back and they can rely on Coke, Bruney, Melancon to give the ball to Mo. I am more worried about Mo’s rocky outings this year.

by yankeesintexas on Jun 8, 2009 11:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You are obsessed

with Huston Street. He seems like the type of guy who would collapse in New York.

He’d blow 2 saves, get booed, then hang himself with a shower curtain in his hotel.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jun 8, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

really?

when else have i talked about him?

so now we’re basing our judgments on how a player seems like he’ll handle NY?

by Travis G on Jun 8, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well this is...

…the 4th post on this site in the last 3 weeks about him. And when you consider bringing ANY pitcher to New York, particularly with the goal of having him replace a legend, you have to consider how he’ll handle the pressure.

And you should learn how to read tongue-in-cheek comments, unless you believe I actually think he would kill himself after 2 blown saves.

Fact is, you’re going to have to trade a marquee prospect for a 25-year-old reliever with nothing superlative about him to this point. And I don’t like him because he’s got a stupid name.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jun 8, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so what do you know

about his personality? and what about it would indicate he can’t ‘handle NYC’?

if by ‘marquee,’ you mean elite, i already wrote i wouldn’t give up an elite prospect for him. we basically have one, Montero. Ajax is close, but as i mentioned, has yet to hit for power and Ks way too much. Montero, despite having defensive doubts, has no such problems with the bat.

by Travis G on Jun 8, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know enough..

…to know that I don’t want to trade any of the Yankees prospects for a guy with no pressure experience. The whole point is that trading for relievers is a total crapshoot. All you have to do is look at the Yankees history in that area for proof.

But hey, let’s give up Austin Jackson because Street’s ERA+ was great 3 years ago.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jun 9, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You do NOT

Trade your two best hitting prospects for a reliever.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Jun 8, 2009 2:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

that's why i said

Montero’s off the table.

by Travis G on Jun 8, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Street's born and bred to be a closer...

I dont know how well he’d do in a set up role. Most closers want to do that and only that. They dont even pitch well when they are the closer but its not a save situation. Mo’s not going anywhere still so making the move for street now doesnt look to make a lot a sense especially for the young players mentioned.

by Ozone on Jun 8, 2009 8:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

oh good lord

this is even dumber than the Joba to teh 8th logic.

in the end, I wouldn’t MIND trading for Street obviously, I’m just skeptical that he can be had at the value I think he is worth. because it feels that his precieved value is a lot higher than his actual.

I would trade a guy like say.. Andrew Brackman for him (because his chances of panning out is ridiculasly low. even if the upside is high) , if it stopped there. or I would obviously be willing to combine several lesser prospects (though the Yanks don’t have a lot of those)

by RollingWave on Jun 9, 2009 5:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

agree 100% with that

I like the idea of trading Brackman.

I think he’s a good prospect, and tho he really does have as much upside as really any pitcher in the minors, the guy really does have a slim chance to realize that (and the reason why I hated the pick 2 years ago).

If the Rockies would do something like Brackman and a lesser prospect for Street? I think you do that. Street really has a better shot to succeed than does Brackman IMO, and I really just don’t trust guys with arm problems let alone the fact that therer really isn’t many 6’11 guys who have been any good.

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 9, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs