Huston Street appears to be the A's most-targeted player when it comes to trade talks, but that doesn't mean he's going anywhere, and the closer is starting to think he might be staying put.

"I said a while ago I don't want to be traded," Street said. "Billy (Beane, general manager) said all along it'll take a deal to knock his socks off for me to get traded, and that's where we stand right now. I'm very comfortable with that because I like it here."

Rumors surrounding Street this week include the Tigers, Brewers, White Sox and, to a lesser degree, Red Sox. The Mets also have discussed Street a bit, but they probably don't have the prospects to get a deal done.

Street is only 24, and he will not be a free agent until after the 2010 season, so the A's have more reasons to hang onto him than to deal him, unless they are blown away by an offer.

Street has a 4.00 ERA and 18 saves in 23 chances. His 78.3 percent success rate is lowest among AL closers, and most teams with interest are looking at the right-hander as a setup man and potentially a closer next year.

ROYALS 5, A'S 2: For the second night in a row, two home runs off the A's starter were enough to decide the game. On Tuesday, it was a solo shot by Mike Aviles and a three-run homer by John Buck off Greg Smith that clinched things, as the fading A's fell to 2-9 since the All-Star break. Gil Meche beat the A's for only the third time in 11 decisions against them.

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