Los Angeles Angels Acquire Closer Huston Street

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The Los Angeles Angels have acquired closer Huston Street from the San Diego Padres in a six-player deal, according to multiple reports.

The Angels have been reconstructing their bullpen – the weakest part of the team – this year, as they added Jason Grilli about a month ago and now Street. The team’s current closer, Joe Smith, will likely move back into the set-up role where he was before Ernesto Frieri lost his job as the closer. Smith has been dominant since he regained the role back in June (it was a closer-by-committee beforehand), shutting out opposing batters in 11.1 innings. He also has 10 of his 15 saves in that run.

The Angels manager, Mike Scioscia, has brought up the idea of the team adding a closer for their playoff run, as he believes a dominant reliever like Smith would be a better fit in the set-up role rather than as closer.

Street has always been a dominant closer throughout his career, but has battled many injuries; it was common to see Street on the disabled list at least once each season. Currently, Street is having a career year, entering the second half of the year with a 1.09 ERA, 0.76 WHIP. He has accumulated 24 saves in his ninth big-league season.

The Angels enter Friday 1.5 games behind the Oakland Athletics. By adding another reliever – and a reliable closer – their bullpen becomes that much stronger.

However, they had to give up Taylor Lindsey, R.J. Alvarez, Jose Rondon and another minor leaguer in the deal. Although they will receive one minor leaguer with Street, the team is arguably depleting their farm system – trading away prospects with the hopes of a championship in the next few years.