Oswalt About To Join Phillies? (UPDATED)

We have been hearing these rumors for the past couple of week, but today reports say that it is a done deal. The only thing holding up the deal is that Roy Oswalt needs to sign off on it (rumor is the Atros will get J.A. Happ and two prospects). This could be a big hold up, as Oswalt wants the Phillies to pick up his $12MM option for 2012. The Phillies have been very hesitant to do this, so it will be interesting to see who (if any) caves.

The Phillies are currently 3 1/2 games behind Atlanta for 1st place in the NL East, and 2 1/2 games behind San Fran for the Wild Card. If they were able to get Oswalt I would put them as the favorite to win the NL East. The Phillies are known for the 2nd half runs, and a guy like Oswalt could really start them on a nice run.

If Oswalt doesn't agree to the trade rumors suggest that they will turn their attention to Carmona.


***UPDATE***

Oswalt plans to OK the deal, but it's not official yet, reports Stark. He adds that the Astros will be sending $11MM. Rosenthal tweets that Oswalt's 2012 option will not be exercised; he'll be compensated some other way. ESPN's Amy K. Nelson tweets that Oswalt will get $1MM added by the Phillies to the buyout of his '12 option. She adds that the details are being worked out now regarding Oswalt retaining his no-trade clause.

Oswalt Making Life Hard For Phillies

Roy Oswalt's contract demands could be on the verge of blowing up a potential deal that would send the Houston Astros ace to Philadelphia. Oswalt is asking the Phillies, or any team that acquires him, to guarantee his $16 million option in 2012 before he would approve a trade.

This certainly will make this deal far less likely to happen. The Phillies were happy to have Oswalt for this year and next, but beyond that they aren't so sure, and they really don't want to be guaranteeing him $16 million 3 years from now when he is already 32 years old.

Still, if the Phillies want to get back in this race then they are going to need at least another front line pitcher. That might not even solve their problems, as their hitting hasn't been all that great either. I would assume now that they will explore what it will take to get Haren (who I think is better), but that will most likely come with a very steep price.

Most reports suggest that the Cardinals are now the front runners to land Oswalt, as St. Louis is where he prefers to play next.

Phillies About To Make Moves

There are a bunch of rumors going around the MLB today, and most of them have to do with the Phillies. Basically they all have to do with the Phillies looking to unload Jayson Werth and/or grab another starting pitcher. The question is what level of pitcher are they looking for.

The hot rumor so far is that the Phillies are making a serious run at Oswalt, but they don't want to take on his contract unless they can move Werth (Oswalt is owed more than $7 million for the rest of this year and $16 million next season, and he has a $16 million option with a $2 million buyout for 2012). The other problem is that Oswalt will have to clear any trade, as he has a no trade clause. He has said he wants to stay more near Texas, but Philly is a proven winner, so I think if it came down to that he would go.

Other names that are being kicked around are Dan Haren, Jeremy Guthrie, and Ben Sheets. I'll tell you right now if the Phillies get Haren they are going to win it all.

In any of these deals (with the exception of Guthrie) the Phillies are going to have to free up some money (according to reports). Most people think that means Werth is on his way out. Werth has been linked to the Red Sox many times over the last month or so. It would be interesting what the Sox would have to give up to get him, but the price could be driven down quickly if the Phillies are able to land a starting pitcher for prospects.

Anyways, I do believe the Phillies will make a couple moves very soon, so keep an eye on this.

White Sox Want Bedard or Oswalt

"Don't expect Kenny Williams to just sit back and wait for Jake Peavy to change his mind. According to Joe Cowley at the Chicago Sun-Times, the White Sox general manager "is rumored to be smack dab on the trail of the likes of an Erik Bedard or Roy Oswalt (Sportsline)."

The White Sox need more starting pitching. They are having a terrible season, and have already failed in trying to acquire Peavy (he turned it down with his no trade clause). Both of these guys would be big upgrades for the White Sox, but I think Bedard is much more likely. Oswalt has come out and stated (just like Peavy) that he would like to stay in the NL. Bedard i think would play for anyone, and could be easily signed to an extension. The only concern with Bedard is his health, but I think he is worth the risk for the White Sox who could easily get back in the race in such a weak division.

Roy Oswalt Blasts A-Rod

Check out what Roy Oswalt said about all the A-rod steroid shit.

"A-Rod's numbers shouldn't count for anything," Oswalt said in a phone interview with MLB.com. "I feel like he cheated me out of the game."
"The ones that have come out and admitted it, and are proven guilty, [their numbers] should not count. I've been cheated out of the game. This is my ninth year, and I've done nothing to enhance my performance, other than work my butt off to get guys out. These guys [who took PEDs] have all the talent in the world. All-Star talent. And they put times two on it..."
"The few times we played them, when he got hits, it could have cost me a game. It could have cost me money in my contract. He cheated me out of the game and I take it personally, because I've never done [PEDs], haven't done it, and they're cheating me out of the game." (Fanhouse.com)

Ya gotta love this kinda honesty coming from other players. All the Yankee bullshit makes me sick, all the 'we support him through this' and 'hes our friend and we admire his courage in coming out and admitting it.' Shut the fuck up, he came out only after he was already caught...congradulations.

Big ups to Roy. DC loves candid athletes, especially when they have sexy wives.