Report: Huston Street Seeking Four Year Extension

Huston Street, who acts as own agent, said talks with #Angels on contract extension have been "steady" since Dec. Thinks will get done.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) February 19, 2015

It was reported in January that the Angels were expected to begin extension negotiations with Huston Street this spring in Tempe. Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times writes that talks between the Halos and their closer are heating up, and getting a deal done between the two sides before opening day appears likely.

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The Los Angeles Angels traded for all-star closer Huston Street on July 19th of last year from the San Diego Padres. Street immediately solidified the back end of the Angels’ bullpen after stepping into the ninth inning role in Anaheim. Street played a pivotal role down the stretch for the Angels as they marched to the American League West division title.

The University of Texas alum saved a career high 41 games, and posted a career low 1.37 ERA across 59.1 innings of work in 2014 with the Padres and Angels. Street struck out 8.6 batters per 9 innings, and issued 2.1 walks per 9 innings. He registered an impressive 2.79 FIP, and his strikeout to walk ratio was 4.07. He did a great job keeping the opposition off base, allowing just 0.944 walks/hits per inning.

“If you look at what Robertson and Miller got, maybe somewhere between them is justifiable and fair”

The Angels picked up the $7 million dollar club option on Huston Street’s contract this winter, but he is set to hit free agency following the 2015 season. Closer David Robertson left the New York Yankees and signed a four year deal worth $46 million with the Chicago White Sox this offseason. Southpaw Andrew Miller took Robertson’s vacated job in the Bronx, signing a four year contract worth $36 million. Street, who acts as his own agent, is said to be seeking a four year contract worth something between the two figures.

Huston Street will be 32-years-old this August, and it is worth noting there was a slight drop off in production after the trade to Anaheim. Street posted 24 saves, and registered a 1.09 ERA across 33 innings with the Padres last season. After taking the reigns as the Angels’ closer in mid-July, Street saved 17 games and posted a 1.71 ERA. His strikeout to walk ratio dropped from 4.86 with the Padres to 3.29 with the Angels. His struggles are nothing to get overly concerned about, and they can likely be chalked up to fatigue, however, it is something to monitor in 2015.

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I get very nervous when long term contracts and closing pitchers are mentioned in the same sentence. Finding a reliable 9th inning man, who performs consistently over many years is hard to find. Huston Street is one of the best in the business when it comes to shutting the door with everything on the line. On Thursday, Street discussed his dependable track record late in games with the type confidence that only a closer could pull off, “I have the best save percentage in baseball for the last four or five years.” The Austin, TX product rarely gave Angels’ fans reason to worry last season, and I doubt that will change in 2015.

Personally, I would love to see the two sides reach an agreement this month, but I have not seen enough from Huston Street in an Angels’ uniform to hand him a four year extension. Robertson and Miller are both 29-years-old, and if Street lands the four year deal he desires, he will be 36 when the contract expires. I would feel much more comfortable tacking on an additional two seasons with an average annual salary of $10-$12 million, rather than agreeing to a long term extension with an aging closer.

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