Roy Oswalt Rumors: Red Sox, Dodgers and Phillies

With June approaching, all eyes are on free agent Roy Oswalt.  At this point, it’s being reported that money is atop Oswalt’s list of priorities.  This weekend it was reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers joined the hunt for Oswalt, and there were reports regarding the likelihood of the 34-year-old joining the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox.  Beyond the Dodgers, Phillies and Red Sox, Oswalt has also been tied to the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles and Milwaukee Brewers.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported yesterday that Oswalt is looking for a prorated salary of $7.5 million to pitch this season.  According to executives around the majors, this high asking price is diminishing Oswalt’s chances of joining a club this June.

CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman agreed that, while Oswalt’s asking price may have dropped as the season’s progressed, it may have to be reassessed if the veteran wants to pitch this year.  Heyman spoke with an executive of a team interested in Oswalt that said the right-hander isn’t like to reach his $7.5 million target, though he should surpass Andy Pettitte‘s $2.5 million contract.

Prior to the weekend, it appeared that Oswalt was more concerned with factors other than money when it came to making his decision on where to pitch this year.  Since the offseason, pitching close to home and for a contending club were seen as Oswalt’s main priorities.

It’s still unclear where Oswalt will eventually end up pitching, as it’s now in question whether or not he even will pitch this season.

The Dodgers were the latest team to join the mix for Oswalt.  Peter Gammons of MLB.com reported yesterday that Oswalt’s agent acknowledged that his client worked out for the Dodgers.  While this may be the case, Heyman later said that it doesn’t appear the Dodgers are seriously in the mix for Oswalt at this time.

Another team is likely to be tied to Oswalt even more following this weekend’s events; the Philadelphia Phillies.  During yesterday’s contest against the Cardinals, Philadelphia ace Roy Halladay exited after only two innings due to shoulder soreness.  The extent of Halladay’s injury will be diagnosed early this week, and if he is forced to the disabled list the Phillies could turn their attention to Oswalt.

The Boston Red Sox have been tied to Oswalt since the offseason, but the veteran hasn’t expressed serious interest in joining the club.  According to Nick Carfado of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox are still not atop Oswalt’s list of desired teams.  Carfado spoke with a major league source that told him Oswalt still prefers the Rangers and Cardinals over the Red Sox.

Because it appears that Oswalt’s decision could come down to the money, there’s no telling where the free agent will sign.  This type of situation leaves the door open for any club to potentially swoop in and throw enough money Oswalt’s way to get his attention.