Roy Oswalt Rumors: Red Sox and Phillies Worked Out Oswalt
By Editorial Staff
Roy Oswalt has already worked out for the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox, and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports is reporting that the veteran could sign soon, “possibly within the next week”. Beyond the Phillies and Red Sox, Oswalt is reported to have thrown for at least two other teams. While the names of these teams are unknown, the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels have been confirmed to not yet be in the mix for Oswalt.
Rosenthal reported yesterday that Oswalt threw a bullpen session for his former team, the Philadelphia Phillies, last week. Oswalt spent the past two seasons with the Phillies after the club acquired the right-hander from the Houston Astros. During his time in Philadelphia, Oswalt maintained an ERA and WHIP of 2.96 and 1.173.
Oswalt also worked out for the Boston Red Sox earlier this week, according to Rosenthal. The Red Sox are in need of pitching reinforcement, especially to their starting rotation. Boston’s starters sport the third worst ERA in the majors (5.23), and Jon Lester is the only member of the team’s staff with an ERA south of 4.00.
Rosenthal later tweeted that the Yankees and Tigers are not currently in the mix for Oswalt. Both teams have staffs that have not met expectations thus far, but the Yankees appear to be in a worse place than the Tigers. Andy Pettitte and David Phelps have looked good so far, and C.C. Sabathia has been C.C. Sabathia. Still, Hiroki Kuroda has just been alright and Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova are sporting ERA’s north of 5.20.
Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com checked in with the Angels, who said they haven’t had anyone watch Oswalt throw near his Mississippi home recently. There doesn’t seem to be a clear fit for Oswalt in LA outside of Jerome Williams’ spot in their rotation. Williams has posted an ERA and WHIP of 43.86 and 1.29 thus far and doesn’t appear to be someone who’s at risk of losing their job.
Rosenthal added that Oswalt could sign within the next week and that the veteran plans on pitching in the majors by mid-to-late June. CBSSport.com’s Scott Miller put a cap on last night’s Oswalt rumors by reporting that Roy already has several nice offers on the table from unknown teams.