Roy Oswalt Rumors: Red Sox, Phillies and Cardinals Edition
By Editorial Staff
Today’s batch of Roy Oswalt rumors involve the Red Sox, Phillies and Cardinals. Boston continues to be in, and then out, of the Oswalt market. Same for Philadelphia, though they appear to be leaning more out than in. St. Louis is still listed as one of the favorites, but reports indicate that they are not aggressively pursuing the right-hander at this point.
Yesterday Nick Carfado of the Boston Globe reported that the Red Sox are likely still in the hunt for Oswalt. According to Carfado, Boston is not scared by Oswalt’s history of back issues. Still, the Red Sox are at a disadvantage as it’s now rumored that Oswalt’s decision is being swayed not by money but by geography.
Carfado said that if Oswalt is unable to reach an agreement with the Rangers or Cardinals, who are both considered the frontrunners for the 34-year-old, Boston could swoop in as an alternative option.
However, later in the day Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald came out with news from his sources who’ve heard there’s “no sense of progress” in talks between the Red Sox and Oswalt. Lauber said that as the spring approaches Oswalt could become “more enthralled” with the idea of pitching in Boston, but for now he is listing a signing as unlikely.
As we near the start of camp and Oswalt remains unsigned, more and more teams have been thrown into the discussion, including the Phillies. While Oswalt has expressed interest in returning to Philadelphia, at least initially, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has said it’s unlikely his club signs the veteran starter.
Yesterday Jason Stark of ESPN tweeted that the Phillies have been exploring a trade of Joe Blanton that would shed salary and allow the club to re-sign Oswalt. Stark asked Amaro about this, but the GM said he didn’t see how it was possible for the Phillies to fit Oswalt’s salary into their 2012 budget.
The Cardinals are another team that has money on their mind. Buster Olney of ESPN reported yesterday that St. Louis is content keeping their offer for Oswalt on the table for the time being as they wait and see if the veteran will accept. The Cardinals initial offer was said to be in the $5-6 million range.
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