Roy Oswalt Rumors: Reds Have Discussed Oswalt
By Editorial Staff
This weekend we found that the delay in a Roy Oswalt signing may have opened the market for other interested clubs. While Oswalt is known to favor joining the Rangers or Cardinals, it was reported that the Red Sox and Phillies may still be eyeing the right-hander, and initially the Reds were included in that mix as well. John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer confirmed last night that the Reds have been discussing Oswalt.
Reds general manager Walt Jocketty told Fay that Cincinnati held discussions with Oswalt and his representation “a while ago”. Fay translates this to mean the Reds have not had contact with Oswalt in nearly a week, and the last Jocketty heard the veteran was heading to Texas. Jocketty said this was how the market for Oswalt was shaping up last Monday, though he admitted that he didn’t know if a deal is still in place.
We heard last week that the Rangers were unlikely to sign Oswalt because of budget issues. Texas also reportedly isn’t interested in dropping Matt Harrison from their rotation, a move that would likely be required in order to facilitate an Oswalt signing. It’s also unknown how much money the Cardinals, Red Sox and Phillies have left to spend this winter, and the same could be said for Cincinnati.
Fay said the Reds would have to “juggle the budget” to accommodate Oswalt, while Jocketty added that “it would be tough” to fit the 34-year-old. Oswalt is said to be seeking $10 million in exchange for signing a one-year deal.
Still, Jocketty said that if things continue to drag on with the Rangers, Cardinals and Oswalt, the Reds will take another look at the right-hander.
For more on the Reds, be sure to check out Blog Red Machine.
You can follow Call to the Pen on Twitter at @FSCalltothePen or like us here on Facebook.
You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.