Will Street Be Flipped?

With the Matt Holliday trade all but confirmed, CBS Sportline’s Scott Miller suggested that the Colorado Rockies may flip Huston Street to another team.

Per Miller:

The Rockies will receive outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, left-handed pitcher Greg Smith and closer Huston Street in return, though they may not keep Street. One source said Monday that the Rockies are prepared to turn around and trade him — though to which team he wasn’t sure.

St. Louis, the New York Mets, Detroit, Cleveland and Tampa Bay are among the clubs in the market for a closer this winter, though the Tigers do not appear to be involved with Street.

Strange that the Rockies would be so quick to move Street, considering that the Rockies are currently without a closer and Street is a young and inexpensive one for now and the future. If it’s true Street will be moved again soon, there must be a deal in place, as he is the only individual in the deal with legitimate MLB success in his career. Yes, Greg Smith was impressive in his rookie season, but you don’t trade one of the best hitters in the National League for a guy who lost 16 games.

Is it possible that the Rays would offer someone like Carl Crawford in return for Street? Are the Cardinals prepared to exchange Ryan Ludwick for the young reliever? If so, the Mets don’t have a chance in … wait, perhaps they do — Ryan Church would seem to be an ideal fit for the god-fearing Rockies.

Think about it — Church has a great name and the perfect makeup for the mile-high bible-toters (NEW testament, of course). It’s amazing that Church’s public display of anti-semitism was completely ignored by the New York media (and likely applauded by the Rockies) for an entire year — what are the chances he can keep that old “secret” buried another season?

Personally, I don’t care what Ryan Church believes, so long as he hits and plays hard (in that order; there’s always Endy Chavez to not hit and play hard).

But I digress …

What do you think? Would you trade Ryan Church for Huston Street? What if the trade also included, say, Jon Niese and Jeff Francis? Fernando Martinez and Brad Hawpe? Speculate away …

Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.
  1. isuzudude November 11, 2008 at 7:15 am
    My prediction: Street, Atkins, and prospect (Franklin Morales, Ryan Spilborghs?) to White Sox for Jenks and Dye.
  2. joe November 11, 2008 at 10:50 am
    Interesting prediction. I’m under the impression the Rockies are rebuilding, though, and wonder if they’d be interested in a veteran such as Dye.
  3. Micalpalyn November 13, 2008 at 11:06 am
    Not happenning.
  4. joe November 13, 2008 at 11:30 am
    Mic, would you do Church for Street?