6:24pm: Nats GM Mike Rizzo will neither confirm or deny the club's interest in Oswalt, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
Kilgore writes that even if the Nationals are interested, it is unlikely a deal could be struck between the two sides. First, Washington would have to be willing to part with farmhands that they have worked diligently to stock. Secondly, they would have to take on Oswalt's hefty contract.
Finally, Oswalt would have to approve a deal to the nation's capital. Despite the fact that the Nats appear to be contenders at present, Kilgore wonders how the 32-year-old feels about a club that has lost more than 100 games in back-to-back seasons.
12:58pm: A baseball source tells MLB.com's Bill Ladson that the Nationals are interested in trading for Oswalt.
12:27pm: Roy Oswalt's trade request has inspired plenty of speculation about potential suitors for the right-hander. Here's a roundup of the latest discussion about possible trade partners for the Astros:
- Dodgers GM Ned Colletti to Fanhouse's Tom Krasovic: "I sense we'll be in the market for pitching after the All-Star Break." Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times wonders if that means the Dodgers might be in on the Oswalt sweepstakes.
- Lacking a true ace, the Twins could kick the tires on Oswalt, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
- Over at The Newberg Report, Jamey Newberg breaks down all the obstacles in the way of Oswalt wearing a Rangers uniform.
- Jim Bowden tweets that Los Angeles, Minnesota, and Texas are among the most realistic destinations for Oswalt.
Here comes the obligatory “Ned Colletti trades away the farm” deal we’ve come to expect. Oswalt makes too much money, has injury problems, isn’t getting any younger, and isn’t needed. I’ll go to bat with Kershaw-Billingsley-Kuroda against any team, anytime.
Oswalt has injury problems? News to me.
He hasn’t had a season with under 30 starts since 2003.
Why does everyone continue to say he has injury problems? Besides being shutdown a bit early last year, he has been one hell of a durable pitcher.
Back injuries can flare up at any time.
From Buster Olney:
“Oswalt’s health history. He’s had back problems and has required injections in order to pitch, so there would be reason for concern about whether he could be physically able to serve out the rest of his contract.”
i stopped reading as soon as you said “FROM BUSTER OLNEY”
Don’t get me wrong, I’m no huge Olney fan (I’m a Keith Law man myself), but what he said is true. You think he made up that Oswalt has needed or still receives injections? Back injuries are very concerning.
Oswalt has had ONE back injection at the beginning of the season and that was all he needed. It is rare that he has not made at least 30 starts and pitched at least 200 innings in a season. A one time injury is a lot different than a history of injuries or injuries problems as Buster put it.
Injury or not, I wouldn’t break the farm for him. Which means Colletti probably will.
If the Dodgers did try and make a run for him, what kind of package do you think they should offer? In other words, what do you think Oswalt is worth in terms of your teams prospects?
Again, I would pass, but my personal offer would be something like James McDonald or Scott Elbert and a lower level prospect if I were to make one. But again, I would pass. The Dodgers have a ton of talent in the farm system, it’s just at the lower levels and generally a couple of years away. Still valuable though.
I imagine the Astros want a couple of pitchers and a position player, because they have a ton of holes. Again, not saying Oswalt isn’t good, but I would stand pat. Especially considering the Divorce Drama.
Wow never heard a Dodger fan turning down a true ace before. I think LA needs Oswalt more than he needs them either way I don’t think he would mesh well w/ the clubhouse enviornment there
Let me introduce you to Clayton Kershaw.
How about to the mets for Jonathan Niese, and Fernando Martinez? I know it’s not a lot, but His value isn’t what it used to be…
They are both on the DL. Both have been there before. And you’re saying Oswalt is the one with lowered value? The Mets would have to put together more prospects than that to trade for him.
Back three years ago, Oswalt’s contract was considered one of the most club friendly contracts. I find it hard to imagine his value has dropped so far as to make his contract prohibitive to a trade.
Injuries and the economy have changed that.
I don’t disagree that those have lessened his value, but not to the degree that seems to be imagined. Jake Peavy traded after injury; John Lackey signed after injury; and both of them are making more money than Roy. Throw in Roy’s resurgence as a dominant pitcher (Better this year than either of those two, and a team making a trade would be looking to win now) would all point towards some above average prospects from a trade.
lets hope ned isnt just talking and actually takes some action.
I’d love to see the Nationals land Oswalt, but it is a terrible idea. The Nats will be competing in a couple more years, there is no reason to trade whatever is in their farm for a chance to compete this year.
Hmmmm Nationals getting Oswalt is signifying they want to win now. They would be intriguing team to watch especially if the “Jesus” pitcher makes his debut. Oswalt teaching Strausburg the ins and outs of pitching is going to benefit him tremendously.
Don’t sleep on Jordan Zimmerman either. He should be back this year and showed a lot of promise before TJ.
Nationals and Oswalt seems like a solid idea, a ton of arb cases next offseason but right now they have around $24 million committed to 2011. Its shouldn’t take a ton of prospects as well as the Astros should probably rebuild and I don’t see a huge market for Roy and his contract.
I agree, Oswalt to Washington is interesting. Oswalt did say he wanted to be dealt to a TRUE contender and I don’t really think the Nats have proven that at this point.
If The Nats signed Oswalt ! It would be great ! a lineup of Strasburg , Oswalt , Wang, Zimmermann , Hernandez , with Marquis and Olsen in as back up would be great ! With Storen, Clippard , and Capps in relief ! Id say We would have one hell of a pitching staff ! Lets go NATS !!
when is wang suppose to be back? im assuming post-allstar break.
Im not sure bro
You just started following baseball, huh?
Haven’t you heard? Livan is the second coming of Drysdale, and Marquis is the next Pedro. Olsen, well, he’s got Koufax written all over him, with perhaps a splash of Randy Johnson mixed in.
Oswalt would be a big help to the Dodgers pitching staff. Not so sure they want to take on his contract, but with a pitcher like Oswalt the dodgers might get to the world series.
Trading for a Roy Oswalt is exactly what a club like the Nats SHOULD NOT do.
I dont see any team giving up a ton of kids AND taking on his $30+m owed. The Astros should be looking for one or the other.
Totally agree with this. The Nationals farm system unfortunately is bottom and top heavy. The top heavy guys are mostly in the majors or close to the majors already. That would be Desmond, Storen, and soon to be Strasburg. Perhaps you put Danny Espinosa in that list.
Basically, we are kind of screwed because of the 2006 draft of Bowden. They hyped Chris Marrero to the moon and he’s struggled in the field with his luck (losing a year to a broken leg in his second year) and now he’s struggling in AA. Were he to continue his recent hot streak (three home runs in his last 3 games) and get back on the prospect radar it would certainly help the Nats as I believe he would be someone that they are willing to move should they be confident that they are going to resign Dunn.
Middling B- and sinking prospects just ain’t that valuable so I’m not deluding myself into thinking he’s a significant trade piece though.
The bargain deal is around the corner in Seattle, where Cliff Lee awaits yet another unneccessary move. Did Seattle really think one left handed pitcher was going to solve all their problems? Lee is a prime time competitor that would probably comerelatively cheap in terms of farm talent. I like Oswalt, always have respected him toiling away in relative anonymity down there in Houston. But I believe better and more consistent results will come if they can land Lee. GO BLUE!
And now, strictly editorially speaking as I bleed Dodger blue like the rest of you:
Do any of us REALLY think that Lee or Oswalt or Hamels or any other front line SP
is going to solve the mess the team is in? They say that winning solves a lot of problems. The team as a whole may have more problems than even winning the World Series would solve!
i’m not sayin…i’m just sayin!