Roy Oswalt Rumors: Red Sox Offer and the Rangers Interest
Yesterday we found that there are reportedly six teams in the mix for free agent starting pitcher Roy Oswalt; the Red Sox, Rangers, Cardinals, Nationals, Indians and Brewers. While it was reported the Cardinals and Red Sox each had offers on the table for Oswalt yesterday, we now have a better idea of what Boston’s proposed deal looks like. Meanwhile, the Rangers are still debating whether or not they have a need for Oswalt.
Yesterday Buster Olneyof ESPN reported that the Red Sox have extended Oswalt a one-year offer for “about $5 million”. Olney hears that the Red Sox are willing to try for a starting pitcher such as Oswalt “at their offer price”.
There’s a chance Oswalt accepts such a deal due to the lack of opportunities out there. If he doesn’t, Olney feels as if the Red Sox would be “OK with that” based on the “other alternatives” they’ve acquired this offseason.
This $5 million offer is roughly in line with the deal that the Cardinals have reportedly extended Oswalt. Joe Strauss of the St. Louis-Dispatch has said that he’s hearing Oswalt will ultimately command a deal in the $7-8 million range.
The other team most linked to Oswalt currently is the Texas Rangers. While they and Oswalt seem to share a mutual interest in a deal, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN tweeted yesterday that there is still debate in the Rangers front office whether the club really needs Oswalt. Following the signing of Yu Darvish the Rangers are already likely to move former starting pitcher Alexi Ogando back to the ‘pen.
You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.