Should Huston Street Accept An All-Star Bid If Invited?

Jul 5, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Huston Street (16) pitches during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

As my fellow staffmate Mark Whelan has so eloquently argued for each of the past two days, he’s unhappy that starting pitcher Tyson Ross won’t be pitching in the All-Star Game in Minnesota next week. Ross is scheduled to pitch for the Padres on Sunday, and would thus be ineligible to pitch two days later in the Mid-Summer Classic. For what it’s worth, I completely disagree with Mr. Whelan, and if Ross is scheduled to pitch Sunday, that’s how it shakes down.

That takes us to another argument that Padres’ fans and media have made loud and clear, the oversight of closer Huston Street as a member of the National League All-Star squad. If Ross can’t pitch, and will be considered an All-Star regardless of what happens, can this open the door for Street’s inclusion? What more does Street have to do? He has 23 saves and an ERA of almost 1.

The Padres’ haven’t helped their cause with such poor play during the first half, one that has cost former general manager Josh Byrnes his job, and will most likely cost Bud Black and his staff their jobs at the end of the season. Some people believe this team, because of a recent winning streak, should consider themselves buyers rather than sellers at the trading deadline at the end of the month. For Padres’ fan’s, they should hope that Street gets the nod, because it could be a final bow before he is sent packing in the latest fire sale committed by another Padres’ ownership group.

We won’t rehash the names, but Street could fetch a nice catch for the Friars, and while he does deserve to be a National League All-Star, he could be in an American League uniform within a week of the game having been played. Street doesn’t have to accept an All-Star invitation. Teams like Baltimore, Detroit, etc. could all be in the market for Street’s services. The All-Star Game holds home field advantage for the league winner in the World Series. With the odds of Street getting dealt to a contender, if you are him, would you accept an invitation if it might cost your prospective new employer in the other league a shot at home field advantage in the World Series? This is pure conjecture, but the reality is, Huston Street and his skills are dying on the vine as long as remains a member of the San Diego Padres. It’s like owning a Porsche, and not being able to afford to gas up to roll it out.

It’s just a thought. Padres’ fans, as painful as it is to admit this season is a grease fire, should a member who will remain with the Padres past the deadline get the All-Star nod over Street, or should he get his just due?