Closer Report: Huston Street Named Closer In Colorado

Despite what allot of thought after a rough spring, the Rockies stuck it out with their newly acquired pitcher and named him closer over Manny Corpas. Though Street ended spring training on a high note, he had a tough March with an ERA of 5.23 in 10 1/3 innings. Despite those struggles and Manny Corpas's impressive 0.90 spring ERA the Rockies went against conventional wisdom and will hand the ball to Street int he 9th inning.

Street is coming off his worse year of his career where he lost his closer job in Oakland to Brad Zeigler after blowing 7 saves in 25 save opportunities. The year before wasn't much better as Street blew 5 of 21 save opportunities in a injury shorten season.

One thing we can expect from Street is inconsistency. In his last two full seasons his ERA was 3.31 and 3.73. which is deadly for a closer. Though he does alright in strikeouts (1K per inning average), he is known as a ground ball pitcher, which should serve him well in Colorado.

Our issue with Street is two-fold. His health and consistency along with his confidence has to be a concern of any fantasy managers. Furthermore he is pitching in Colorado, which has a history of closer changes throughout the season. I can't remember the last time the Rockies actually had a closer hold the job for more than 2 years. Even better, the last time a Colorado Rockie closer had more than 31 saves? 2002, Jose Jimenez with 41 saves.

Colorado is not a closer friendly place and it is not for the weak or the closer lacking confidence. Though Corpas isn't much better, at least he knows Colorado, Street doesn't. We don't like the move and our suggestion is to grab Corpas if you own Street. Odds are, they will hand him the job during the regular rotation shift sometime in early June.