Brian Fuentes rumors

MLB Trade Rumors just listed the A's as 1 of 4 teams that could possibly be interested in Brian Fuentes who is a Closer/ Setup Man for the Colorado Rockies. The comes on the heels of recent news from Ken Rosenthal that the A's are shifting into buy mode and could be a surprising landing spot for one of the "big fish", i.e. Matt Holiday, Sabathia, Jason Bay.

This news is interesting for a couple of reasons: 1) Fuentes will be a free agent at the end of the season so in all likelihood he will be a 2 month rental for the A's and 2) The A's bullpen, which includes current closer Huston Street, is already one of the A's strengths. Beyond Street, the A's have RP Embree, Casilla, Devine DL, and Andrew Brown- who could all fill in as a capable closer in emergancy.

So why would we give up prospects to go after Fuentes if he doesn't provide any major upgrade? The answer is not easily clear and my thoughts on what this rumor could indicate is pure speculation. However, Beane is known for thinking out of the box so exploring this rumor might require analyzing scenarios beyond a simple swap of fuentes for prospects. It also is worth while to analyze the respective situations of the A's and the Rockies to understand what might motivate the A's and the rockies to pull off a trade regarding Fuentes.

First, lets look at the A's situation and what aquiring Fuentes could mean. If the A's were to acquire Fuentes, in my opinion, they would acquire him to be the closer. As I mentioned above, the A's have plenty of quality arms who could fill the setup role. So the question is if Fuentes comes in to be the closer, what happens to street? Does he become the primary setup man? Does the team not have faith in him to delivery in their hunt for a playoff berth? I am inclined to say no and no.

Instead, I think the interest in Fuentes is intertwined with the fact that Huston Street will require a contract extension sometime in the near future. Beane has never valued the closers role, at least not to the extent that other GM's do. His track record, of finding successful closer after successful closer, supports his theory. In Huston Street he has a 24 year old closer, with all-star potential, who could bring a bounty on the trade market. The organization also happens to be loaded with dominant young relief pitchers, (i.e. Joe Devine, Henry Rodriguez, Andrew Carignan, Sam Demel, Santiago Casilla, Jerry Blevins), who could be potential future closers. So with a decision on an extension for Street looming, Beane might look to see if anyone will be interested in prying Street away from the A's... Enter Colorado...

The Rockies are an interesting team because they have underperformed immensly. Despite that, they only find themselves 7 games out of first place in a division where no one seems to want to run away with the division. This could cause Colorado to be in buy mode instead of sell mode come the july 31st trade deadline.

Regardless of their intentions come the trade deadline, it appears that the Rockies will trade Fuentes rather than let him walk at the end of the year. If they are in contention come july 31st and trade Fuentes, they will need a closer to replace him, and Huston Street could be just what they are looking for. Yes through, through all my rambling, my argument is that the speculation of Fuentes to the A's could lead to a trade of Street for Fuentes. However, that is merely the center of the trade and it is the surrounding pieces and elements which would make the deal make sense for both teams. So here is my proposal which I will them attempt to explain:

A's Receive:
Brian Fuentes
Ian Stewart
Possible 2nd Prospect

Rockies Recieve:
Huston Street
Possible Prospect


Why it makes sense for the A's:
- While Huston Street's overall trade value is much higher than Fuentes, due to the fact that he is 24 and under control for a couple more years, Fuentes would actually constitute a minor upgrade at closer. This deal would essentially be a trade that helps us somewhat now but also further helps us to build for the future. Ian Stewart would provide us with a power hitting third base prospect- something we sorely lack in our minor league system- who is almost ready to contribute regularly and can play multiple different positions. As well, we would probably let Fuentes walk and gladly take the 2 picks that we would recieve as compensation for a type A free agent. So, after this season, trading Street would essentially bring us Stewart, a 1st rd pick, a supp. 1st rd pick, and possibly another prospect (maybe SS chris nelson). Next season and beyond, we would have plenty of options internally to fill the closers role.

Why it makes sense for the Rockies:
- They would essientially be giving up a closer, who they would rather trade then let walk at the end of the season, and a top prospect, Ian Stewart, who is blocked by Garrett Atkins. In return, they would receive a young all-star caliber closer who they can control. This would allow them to make a trade to help their future without hindering their shot at a run for the playoffs this year.