Huston, we have liftoff: The decline of Huston Street

It is a feeling that has become all-too-familiar for Padres fans.  Ninth inning.  With the game either tied or a slim lead hanging in the balance, in from the bullpen jogs our All-Star closer.  But something is different.  The jog seems to require a little more effort.  The exhubarent cheers have now turned to nervous groans.  The anticipation of certainty victory is buried beneath layers of doubt.  It's the same old story with a new name in the headline.  Trevor Hoffman...Heath Bell...and now, Huston Street.

Huston Street walks back to the dugout after giving up a walk-off home run to Evan Longoria on May 11, 2013.
(AP Photo/Mike Carlson)

 In July 2012, the Padres were widely regarded by many baseball experts to be sellers at the trade deadline, with many eyes obviously square on coveted third-baseman, Chase Headley.  General Manager Josh Byrnes would have none of that nonsense.  Not only did Byrnes refuse to trade Headley, but he also renewed commitments to Carlos Quentin and Huston Street.  Street, who was having one of the better years of his career as a closer and likely would have been an attractive bullpen piece to a contending club, was signed to a two-year $14 million extension with a club option for 2015.  The deal came with mixed reviews from fans and media alike.  Some applauded the Padres for being spenders and locking up a player who was generating results, while others expressed concerns over Street's struggles to stay healthy over his career and would have rather seen a cheaper arm like Luke Gregerson or Dale Thayer get a chance to close out games for San Diego.  Regardless, the Padres had their closer locked up for the next two season, and only time would tell if Byrnes made the right move.

Fast forward to May of 2013.  Those that were against Street getting a contract bump appear to be justified in their pessimism.  Below are some of his projected numbers compared to the career worst in each category.

	Current 2013 pace	Career worst
Hits allowed	52	64 (2006 OAK)
Runs allowed	31	29 (2008 OAK)
Earned runs	31	29 (2008 OAK)
Home runs allowed	21	10 (2011 COL)
Walks	24	27 (2008 OAK)
Strikeouts	40	45 (2010 COL)
Losses	9	5 (2008 OAK)
WHIP	1.23	1.22 (2011 COL)
ERA	4.43	3.86 (2011 COL)
BAA	.227	.276 (2011 COL)

Out of the ten categories listed, Street is currently on pace to set career worst marks in seven pitching statistics.  This is a huge concern when you consider that the conditions for Street to be successful have never been better.  Pitcher-friendly park in a traditionally pitcher-friendly league.  Yes, the fences at Petco Park were brought in, giving pitchers less room for error.  This is a moot point.  The home runs that Street has been giving up aren't just sneaking over the outfield wall.  They are getting straight-up crushed.  When Street gets behind a hitter by throwing a first-pitch ball, bad things are almost sure to follow.  Below is a comparison of how Street fares against hitters depending on whether or not his first pitch is called a strike or ball.

	After 0-1 count	After 1-0 count
Hits allowed	7	8
Runs allowed	2	6
Home runs allowed	1	4
Walks	0	8
Strikeouts	8	5
AVG	.156	.348
OBP	.152	.516
SLG	.267	.913
OPS	.419	1.429

That is quite the night and day difference.  I would expect a closer that makes $7M a year to hold everything together a lot better than this after initially missing the strike zone.  Gregerson and Thayer have both been solid pitchers this season, even after throwing a first-pitch ball.  There is a confidence that emits from those two bullpen arms that you just don't see from Street anymore...much in the way Heath Bell appeared to lose steam towards the end of his tenure in San Diego.  Only Josh Byrnes knows what the future has in store for Huston Street should the current Padres closer either A) regain his 2012 form, or B) continue to struggle with location.  However, earlier today, a tweet from Corey Brock eluded to possible DL time for Street.

I suspect Robbie Erlin had a buddy with him on flight from Tucson, especially if Street needs DL. Need a fresh arm. Boxberger makes sense.
— Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) June 1, 2013

Technically, the Padres have not disclosed any physical issues regarding Street, but one thing remains for certain...there is no room in the Padres payroll for high-priced inconsistency.

** UPDATE: Huston Street has been placed on the 15-day DL per Corey Brock **

#Padres CL Huston Street (left calf) is headed to DL. Same calf he injured a year ago, but different spot, different (lessened) severity.
— Corey Brock (@FollowThePadres) June 1, 2013