There’s an expectation that Roy Oswalt will agree to sign with an MLB team this week, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). The Rangers, Orioles, Red Sox, Phillies and Dodgers have all been linked to the free agent right-hander in recent weeks. We'll keep track of today's Oswalt rumors right here with the most recent updates up top:
- The Rangers are actively engaged in negotiations with Oswalt, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. The Rangers definitely want to sign the right-hander, a team official told Nightengale. The Dodgers have renewed interest with Ted Lilly on the disabled list and plan to discuss a possible deal. Oswalt seeks $5-7.5MM.
- The Rangers would need approval from ownership to sign Oswalt since the team is over-budget, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter). There are mixed opinions about Oswalt in the Texas front office. Ownership approval appears to be the lone roadblock preventing the Rangers from signing Oswalt, Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi write.
- Baseball officials are convinced Oswalt will sign with the Rangers, ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick reports. The right-hander has given teams indications that he prefers the Rangers over other clubs. "I would be shocked if he doesn't go to Texas,'' one of Crasnick’s sources said. "A team is going to have to greatly outbid Texas to keep him from going there.''
- The Rangers could use Oswalt now that Neftali Feliz is on the disabled list. The Orioles are known to be seeking pitching and their division rivals, the Red Sox, have endured the struggles of Clay Buchholz and Daniel Bard. Phillies starters are dealing with injuries and the Dodgers actually made Oswalt an offer earlier this year.
I still think the Mets should just kick the tires on the idea. They have an opening in the rotation.
lol they would have to offer him like 20 million
if the dodgers end up signing oswalt, my guess is that it’s to set up a trade later on. that would put them with
kershaw
oswalt
capuano
billinsley
lilly
harrang
eovaldi
With the first four very unlikely going anywhere, the last two do have some value. Eovaldi is a high upside prospect and harrang is a very decent end of the rotation guy for a team who may need help there.
That’s standard depth, really. I hope they wouldn’t trade Eovaldi because they have guys like Oswalt, Capuano, and Lilly. That would be pretty silly.
If they sign Oswalt I’d say it’s to make the team better, not set up a trade.
I think he’d fit perfectly for the Royals. Veteran presence surrounding a very young team with some nice pitching prospects coming up.
I thought the Royals should have made a play for him during the offseason. Once V-Mart went out and before the Tigers signed Prince I thought they would have had a legit shot. Not so much anymore but he could help the young guys out however I don’t think that is a role he wants this stage of his career.
i can’t see him signing anywhere that isn’t a contender unless the money is phenomenal.
He isn’t interested in being a perfect fit, though he could be for KC. Roy spent too much time at the Roger Clemens School for Divas…
Mystery Team
Yanks?
Doubt it, but it wouldn’t surprise me. Nothing surprises me anymore in baseball. Well if the Cubs won the World Series, then that would.
My real guess is the Rangers.
I’m sure they’re kicking the tires, but probably nothing more than that. I agree, Rangers seem most likely.
I don’t think the Red Sox will bite- Matsuzaka is getting close, and Buchholz seems to be rediscovering his changeup. I also heard rumblings that Lackey is well ahead of schedule and could conceivably be back at some point this year, though I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.
I’m not sure that the Red Sox chances of signing Oswalt are very good, but I don’t think it’s because they don’t want/need him. Even if Lackey comes back in under a year (which would be super early) he wouldn’t be ready to pitch in the majors until sometime in mid-late September, so they wont be counting on him helping at all this year, and they will want to limit the innings of both Doubront and Bard (Bard possibly at a lower number than Doubront, but both limited), so they would easily have room in their rotation for both Matsuzaka coming back and adding a pitcher like Oswalt.
Lester, Beckett, Oswalt, Buchholz, and Matsuzaka with Bard and Doubront going to the ‘pen.
Hill was back early. Tazawa on time. Matt Price seemed like was on schedule, until his suspension at least so seems the organization has a decent plan for TJ people coming back, all the way back to Hags even.
White Sox with Peavy
Pretty sure Oswalt has hated US Cellular field since 2005
I’m sure he has but money talks
Hey, this is the spokesperson for the Detroit Tigers management team and can assure you money doesn’t always say as much as you think.
they already have a stacked rotation with Wilson, Lee, and others I cant remember. Seriously I want parity, come on mystery team let the talent go around!
Tigers
I think he’s looking for a 2 year deal. Dodgers 2-16M???
With Weaver likely headed to the DL I expect the Angels will be signing him.
doubt it. Angels are maxed out this year.
Yeah wasn’t that the case too before they gave Pujols that contract?
pujols is making 12M this year for that reason
boom
Only if Pujols is the one paying Oswalt’s salary.
Oswalt would be perfect for Dodgers Stadium. Pro rated $10M / 1 year would get him.
I think if the Halladay MRI results are bad, expect the Phils to jump in.
let there be a mystery team and let that be atlanta. money is tight but maybe it can happen
not if they trade Jurrjens.
at this point that probably would require eating salary
Ptty the poor team that gets fished in with this guy.
to be honest the smart thing would to sign with the rangers or dodgers. the best 2 teams out of the bunch. since one team hot start might not keep up and other 2 teams are like in last place