Huston Street was just great last year. He collected 35 saves while adding in 4 wins, while not hurting your ratios.
When I heard the news that he's experiencing shoulder pain in his right shoulder, all I could think was "Wow, another closer already down before the season starts". Joe Nathan is a big question mark that I'm staying away from, I'm considering avoiding Andrew Bailey altogether the more I think, and I think I might have to put Street in that group now.
Look, I know Street is a great closer when he is healthy but why take the risk when there are 20+ other guys who are not experiencing shoulder pain? This pain could subside and become history for him, or it could carry over long into the season. Shoulders can be a fickle...well I think you know where I was getting at.
In the mean time, Franklin Morales is the man you should target in place of Huston Street. You should draft him in your league after guys like Kerry Wood and Chad Qualls are off the board, but maybe before uncertain closers like Matt Capps.
When Franklin Morales has been summoned to close games, he's been great. In seven appearances last season where he went in to save the game, he only gave up one run while striking out six. He did walk three total guys in those appearances, but I think the sample size is low to really blow those out of proportion. He has a history of a bit too many free passes, but so did David Aardsma before last season started.
Don't let opportunity pass you by, Morales could be in store for double digit saves this season.
