Red Sox Rumors: Boston Would Have to Move Salary to Add Roy Oswalt
The Boston Red Sox have been tied to free agent starting pitcher Roy Oswalt for much of the offseason. Rumors have increased of late, as Boston has reportedly kept an ongoing dialogue with Oswalt’s agent. While some feel Oswalt could be the ultimate bargain of the 2011-12 offseason, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com is reporting that, in order to sign the right-hander, the Red Sox would have to move payroll.
Entering the offseason, Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington knew he would have to be creative if he wanted to upgrade his roster. Cherington has been just that this winter, but it appears that even he won’t be wily enough to swing an Oswalt signing.
It’s true that Oswalt’s price has dropped as the offseason has progressed. At this point, it’s being reported that Oswalt, who’s already made it known he’ll settle for a one-year deal this winter, could be had for $8-9 million or less.
Still, Bradford continues to hear that the Red Sox would have to make a roster move that would free up payroll before they could sign Oswalt.
Of course, now that the Yankees have solidified their rotation, things could change as we approach the spring. However, Boston has stuck to their low-cost arms strategy and appears willing to enter camp with a bevy of veteran pitchers competing for spots in the back end of their rotation.
For more on the Red Sox, be sure to check out BoSox Injection.
You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.