MVN: Most Valuable Network

Since Huston Street's name started being bandied about as a possible trade chip in July, there have been two teams tied most closely to the A's once prized closer: the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cleveland Indians. Both are mid-market teams with talented rosters and holes at the closer position. Both are considered decent matches as trade partners for Oakland because they have a lot of depth in their younger talent.

With that in mind, I thought it might be fun to take a look at those two teams to see who the A's might target should they look to move Street. Please note that these are not necessarily players that the Brewers or Indians would be willing to move for Street, but they are likely some of the ones the A's would inquire about.

Milwaukee

Minor League Talent

The Brewers have a strong system that has gotten even deeper over the past few years thanks to some additional draft picks and high draft selections. Ironically, the Brewers traded some of that depth to Cleveland this past season when they made the C.C. Sabathia deal that helped them land in the playoffs for the first time in years. Nonetheless, it remains a talented minor league system.

Let's take a look at some of the top prospects in the Brewers' chain:

1) Mat Gamel: Gamel had a huge year at Double-A, hitting .329 with 19 homers in 127 games. He is a big-time slugger and plays third base, which would make him appear to be a good fit for the A's. Unfortunately, his defensive reputation is quite poor, so a move to first or left field is probable for Gamel, reducing his value some. Still, an intriguing player.

2) Alcides Escobar: Escobar is a fantastic talent, a shortstop who can hit (.328 average), run (34 SB) and field his position. He is arguably the top talent in the Milwaukee chain and some think he'll supplant JJ Hardy as the Brewers' shortstop soon. The A's may find it easier to acquire Hardy than Escobar, although you never know, especially if Oakland packaged another pitcher with Street. He'd be a great get.

3) Cole Gillespie: An outfielder and former Oregon State Beaver, Gillespie reached double-digits in homeruns and stolen bases at Double-A last season. He's already 24, but Gillespie is a right-handed stick who has a patient approach at the plate, two things the A's covet. He is limited to a corner outfield spot, however.

4) Brent Brewer: Brewer had a down year offensively, but he is only 20 (will turn 21 in December) and he was a second round pick of the Brewers in 2006. A shortstop, Brewer fits a position of need for the A's, although he is a long way away. Plus, with a last name like Brewer, you kind of want him to stick in Milwaukee,

5) Angel Salome:  He is described as having one of the most unusual body types of any player in baseball, but that has never scared the A's before. Salome hit .360 with 13 homers at Double-A as a 22-year-old this season. Oh, did we mention that he is a catcher?

6) Jeremy Jeffress: The Brewers' top pick in 2006 struck-out 115 in 94 innings at High-A and Double-A this season. The 21-year-old right-hander has gone through some tough growing pains as a pro (he was reportedly suspended for testing positive for marijuana earlier in his career), but he is seemingly past those troubles and was the Brewers' Organizational Pitcher of the Year this season despite not pitching a full year.

7) Taylor Green: Another third baseman, Green was rumored to be a possible candidate for inclusion in the Sabathia deal. The 21-year-old hit .289 with 15 homers and 73 RBIs in High-A this season.

8) Lorenzo Cain:  A centerfielder, Cain hit a combined .279 with 11 homers and 25 stolen bases at three levels this season.

Major League Chip

JJ Hardy: Hardy is a tall, athletic shortstop with good power and is a right-handed hitter. Sound familiar? He's kind of the player the A's expected Bobby Crosby to be. If Milwaukee wants to move to Escobar next season, Hardy could be a replacement for Crosby at short. The good news about Hardy is that his numbers aren't inflated by Miller Park. He hit much better on the road last season.

Cleveland

Cleveland has long had one of the top farm systems in baseball and they have borne the fruits of that system in the major leagues on numerous occasions. A poor 2008 MLB season allowed the Indians to deal some veterans, strengthening their system even more. They need a closer and don't want to spend a lot of money on one, so they could be a good fit.

Minor League Chips

1) Matt LaPorta:  The main prospect in the Sabathia trade, LaPorta is a big-time slugger who competed for Team USA in the Olympics. The former Florida Gator hit 22 homers in 101 games at Double-A last season and he is a right-handed hitter, something the A's need. LaPorta was a college first baseman, but he had moved to the outfield for Milwaukee because of Prince Fielder's presence. He isn't likely to win a Gold Glove at either position.

2) Michael Brantley: Another Milwaukee alum from the Sabathia trade, Brantley is a speedy outfielder who walked 50 times and struck-out only 27 times in 109 games at Double-A last season. He hit .319 with 28 stolen bases.

3) Wes Hodges: A right-handed hitting third baseman with good power, Hodges is currently destroying the Arizona Fall League. The Indians have a hole at third, however, so Hodges might be too difficult to pry away.

4) Asdrubal Cabrera: A surprise starter for Cleveland in 2007, Cabrera struggled in 2008 and was sent back to the minors for a time. The middle infielder can handle short and second and he has good on-base skills. He'd be a nice number two hitter in the line-up.

5) Adam Miller: The big, hard-throwing right-hander has been one of baseball's top prospects the past few seasons, but injuries have held him back. He managed to make only six starts this season, although he is currently pitching in the Dominican. He'd be a big risk, health-wise, but no one doubts the upside of the soon-to-be 24 year-old.

6) Chuck Lofgren: A Bay Area product, the lefty had a rough year, posting a 5.99 ERA and walking 52 in 85 innings. Still, he has a very talented arm and the A's may be able to buy low on him.

7) David Huff: A UCLA alum, the lefty Huff had a big year, posting a 2.51 ERA in 146 innings in Double-A and Triple-A. Probably not a future ace, but a solid 3-4 guy in a rotation.

8) Beau Mills: A first baseman with big power, he was the Indians' top pick in 2007. Broke all sorts of NAIA records in his final year in college. His father is Brad Mills.

9) Carlos Santana: A catcher, Santana was a monster offensively this season, driving in 117 runs, mostly at High-A. He was the main prospect involved in the Casey Blake deal wirh the Dodgers.

10) Trevor Crowe: Crowe rebounded from a poor 2007 season and is a player the A's have been rumored to like in the past. He will be 25 next season, but he is a switch-hitting outfielder with decent speed.