Jan 18, 2008

A's give Street a one-year contract

$3.3 million deal avoids arbitration

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Huston Street and the Oakland Athletics agreed to a $3.3 million, one-year contract Thursday, avoiding arbitration.

The 2005 AL Rookie of the Year was limited to 48 outings last season because of an irritated nerve in his right elbow that landed the closer on the disabled list for two months.

Street's name came up in trade talks this offseason, and Oakland general manager Billy Beane said he always has to listen to offers from other teams - but the A's wound up dealing ace Dan Haren and outfielders Nick Swisher and Mark Kotsay.

Joe Blanton - another player whose name emerged for possible swaps - and Chad Gaudin, both in the rotation last season, are the other two Oakland players who filed for arbitration.

The 24-year-old Street went 5-2 with a 2.88 ERA and 16 saves in 2007. His 48 appearances were his fewest in three major league seasons. He begins this year with 76 career saves, fourth in Oakland history and the fifth-most in major league history by the age of 24.

Street and the rest of the A's pitchers and catchers are due to report to spring training in Phoenix on Feb. 13.