Oakland Athletics Closer Situation

May 23, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By David Wysocki
Edited by Ryan Dodson

Were the Oakland Athletics born in a barn? Following the injury to closer Huston Street (elbow), his replacement relief pitcher Justin Duchscherer landed himself on the DL with an ongoing hip injury leaving the A's in a tough position and scrambling to find ways to shut the door in the ninth inning. They'll go with lefty Alan Embree in most save chances.

Street, a 23-year-old righty, went on the disabled list for irritation in his right ulnar nerve in his throwing elbow. He is eligible to return from the DL on May 28, but it's unlikely he returns then. Immediately following his placement, Duchscherer, a 6-foot-3 righty, was named the temporary closer. However, Duchscherer hurt his hip and was finally placed on the DL May 22 after taking up a roster spot for a week.

As of May 23, the A's sit 5.5 games back of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the AL West. The A's won the division last year, but injuries and a lack of scoring have once again hurt the club. Other players currently serving time on the DL include ace starting pitcher Rich Harden (shoulder), future Hall-Of-Fame catcher and designated hitter Mike Piazza (shoulder) and starting pitcher Esteban Loaiza (neck).

Street, who won the Rookie of the Year award in 2005, has been one of baseball's better closers in his first three seasons. Despite an "off year" in 2006, he put up 37 saves, 67 strikeouts, posted an earned-run-average of 3.31 and had an almost invisible WHIP at 1.09. Thus far in 2007, Street has been phenomenal statistically grabbing nine saves and fanning 20 in 18 innings of work. His earned run average is at 2.50.

Table: Huston Street, CL, Oakland Athletics - Career Stats

Year	Team	W	L	SV	IP	SO	BB	ERA	WHIP
2005	OAK	5	1	23	78.3	72	26	1.72	1.01
2006	OAK	4	4	37	70.7	67	13	3.31	1.09
2007	OAK	2	1	9	18	20	7	2.50	0.89

Duchscherer has been one of the baseball's most reliable setup guys and many times a fantasy owner's dream. In 2005 he earned All-Star honors despite not being a closer. He posted back-to-back seven-win seasons in 2004 and 2005 and last season racked up nine saves. He has struggled out of the gates in 2007 giving with a 4.96 ERA. His career ERA is 3.44 in six seasons.

Despite only playing in a little over two seasons, this will be Street's second stint on the DL Last year he spent some time on the shelf from Aug. 19 to Sept. 9 for a strained groin. The injuries are unrelated obviously, so there is nothing to worry about there. However, Street still has not picked up a baseball since going on the DL. If he feels discomfort when and if he throws this week, surgery is a possibility, which could essentially end his season or at least knock him out a few months.

Filling in for the injured Street and Duchscherer will be a combination of relief pitchers Alan Embree, Kiko Calero and Jay Witasick. None of the three have extensive closing experience, but Embree figures to get most of the opportunities according to manager Bob Geren. Calero has a career ERA of 3.33 but has also struggled in 2007 with an ERA of 5.79 and 19 hits allowed in 18 2/3 innings. He has struck out 15 compared to four walks, however.

Table: Kiko Calero, RP, Oakland Athletics

Year	Team	W	L	SV	IP	SO	BB	ERA	WHIP
2007	OAK	0	3	0	18.7	15	4	5.79	1.23
Career	5 yrs	11	8	6	216	232	76	3.33	1.14

Table: Alan Embree, RP, Oakland Athletics

Year	Team	W	L	SV	IP	SO	BB	ERA	WHIP
2007	OAK	0	0	1	18.3	14	5	3.93	1.59
Career	14 yrs	34	36	9	638	585	237	4.56	1.33

Table: Jay Witasick, RP, Oakland Athletics

Year	Team	W	L	SV	IP	SO	BB	ERA	WHIP
2007	OAK	1	0	0	12.7	9	9	3.55	1.58
Career	12 yrs	32	41	5	712.7	636	346	4.60	1.55

For fantasy owners, go pick up Embree right away. The left-handed specialist is a curious option to serve as closer though. He gives up a lot of hits, and excluding a great 2006 with San Diego, he doesn't strike out a lot of batters. However, he has to be picked up off waivers if nothing more than to block opponents from getting his potential saves. Calero should see a few opportunities, but he really isn't worth owning outside of AL-Only leagues.

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David Wysocki

David has been a KFFL writer since 2005. He is a San Diego native and a History and Geography student at California State University-Chico. He has a writing background and has appeared in, and helped produce, various local newsletters and magazines on sports and music. He also pitched for the No. 2 nationally ranked Rancho Buena Vista Longhorns his senior year of high school in 2002.

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