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Rockies Look Toward Rafael Betancourt As Closer In 2012, Explore Trade Market For Huston Street

Rafael Betancourt took over as Colorado Rockies closer in Aug. 2011 and is likely to hold that role in 2012. Huston Street will be shopped this offseason.

By Russ Oates
Getty Images

While Jim Tracy and his entire major league coaching staff will return in 2012, it appears that the Colorado Rockies closer for most of the last three seasons won't be back. Troy Renck of the Denver Post believes that the Rockies will look at trading Huston Street this winter while installing Rafael Betancourt as the closer, a role he took over from Street in August.

Betancourt has converted seven of his eight save opportunities since the move to the closer's job. He has allowed one run since Aug. 9, the day of his first save. Street, meanwhile, picked up 11 saves in 2011 before he blew his first opportunity and had 29 before injury sidelined him.

Overall, Street has converted 84 saves in three seasons with the Rockies, but many from experience would say that he was often shaky while doing it; Still, Renck has an unnamed AL scout say that teams will be interested in picking up Street and his $7 million salary for next season.

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