The Red Sox' open closer's position is starting to become just as much of a hot topic as the team's managerial vacancy. And the Sox could be open to a trade in order to obtain Jonathan Papelbon's successor.
The Sox are among the teams interested in Colorado Rockies closer Huston Street, SI.com's Jon Heyman reports.
Street was 1-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 62 games in 2011, his third season with the Rockies. He converted 29 of his 33 save opportunities, while also tallying four holds.
The 28-year-old right-hander played four seasons in Oakland prior to being sent to Colorado during the 2008-09 offseason in a trade that landed the A's Matt Holliday. Carlos Gonzalez and Greg Smith were also sent to the Mile High City in that deal.
Street was the 2005 Rookie of the Year. He went 5-1 with a 1.72 ERA and 23 saves in 27 chances with the A's that season. In his career, Street is 30-21 with a 3.11 ERA in 417 appearances, and he's racked up 178 saves in 216 opportunities, good for an 82.4 percent conversion rate.
Street is scheduled to make $7.5 million in 2012. He has a $9 million player option for 2013, although the club may decline it and pay a $0.5 million buyout, according to Cot's.
