Roy Oswalt is the best available starter with Dan Haren off the board, though there's no guarantee that the Astros move the righty. He has a substantial contract with a no-trade clause and the Astros are demanding lots in return for their ace. Here is the latest on Oswalt, with new bullets added at the top throughout the day…
- Oswalt told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart that "location doesn't matter," in case any doubt remained. Earlier today, Oswalt told Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle that he would accept a deal to the East Coast under the right circumstances. "That’s not an issue," he said.
- Oswalt will not approve any trade unless the acquiring team picks up his 2012 option, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Oswalt would consider deferring money, but he will not accept a deal unless the team trading for him picks up his $16MM option (Twitter link).
- A source tells Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that Oswalt does not want to play for the Phillies.
- ESPN's Jayson Stark says the Astros seek "a young, front-line player off the big-league roster, two high-end prospects and one more prospect" for Oswalt, making a trade far from a sure thing. Stark contends that Astros owner Drayton McLane will require a return he can brag about.
- The Cardinals "don’t feel confident in their ability" to acquire Oswalt, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Cards face the added wrinkle of playing in the same division as th Astros. GM John Mozeliak, speaking in general terms, told Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch "I can't say I'm encouraged" about making a major pitching move.
- The Phillies could acquire Oswalt without moving Jayson Werth, writes MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Morosi feels that the Phillies represent "one of the more viable landing spots for Oswalt."
So, how do they keep Werth and get Oswalt? I didn’t see that explained anywhere in there.
It’s all about $$$. They have the prospects to make a trade without trading Werth, the question is whether or not ownership wants to ship off cheap future production for current market value production without replenishing the system. This is exactly what motivated the Lee-Mariners trade, and probably why a “companion” deal is in contemplation now.
The good news for FO is that the Phils current talent is mostly in low A ball, so they’re farther from the big leagues than those moved for Lee and Doc (Colvin, the best pitching prospect of the bunch was an 09 draft, as was Singleton who’s just raking in SAL). A good draft could replenish their talent as well as a Werth move.
That, and the Haren deal may have lowered Oswalt’s value despite the dip in elite pitcher supply.
They can get Oswalt for Happ and a few lesser prospects (Rizzotti perhaps, who’s killing AA). Also Cosart is a better prospect than Colvin.
Right, but this doesn’t address my point. Just with Happ you’re trading a league average cost-controlled starter. They have the talent to do it, but ownership may balk at the payroll implications (not 2010’s). This team has very little young, pre-arb talent, which is why Brown’s success so so crucial. The key will be doing it without giving up the d’Arnaud’s and Drabek’s of the world (not many in the current system, which was what I said above, since they don’t have talent of that caliber at higher levels). If they can do it with Rizzoti/Bastardotypes, they should. But they need to hold onto their young position and SP prospects to minimize future payroll.
Well Happ has actually been very successful in his short major league career. People often point to his peripherals as a sign that he isn’t likely to be a sub-3 ERA pitcher his whole career, but a lot of GMs don’t pay a whole lot of attention to that stuff. Given Happ’s W-L record and low ERA, I could see a couple of GMs considering him a young, front line player.
Iif Phils FO views the non – xFIP/SIERA Happ, they’d be even less likely to move him. My point is that, considering the Lee companion move and the financial structure of the system, Philadelphia is unlikely to give up much talent like Happ/Ramirez/Colvin/May etc.. Happ is valuable to them even as a league average starter (which his peripherals indicate), and would only be more so if they believed he actually could sustain a mid-3 ERA (unlikely). I wasn’t saying Happ has no trade value, just saying that the Phils may not make this move even though they clearly have enough pieces to do so.
Please, no Oswalt unless he is obtained for less than Haren was obtained for. He is worth less than Haren.
I completely agree, the sad part is that it’s not so much the talent that is making me agree. It’s that contract. That is a hard contract to move. I think a team that gets Oswalt will get a quality pitcher who can last another extension. The bad part is that contract it cripples you.
Less than what Haren was obtained for?! Hard to imagine what that would be, the D’Backs were thoroughly fleeced in that trade. I’m not sure that you can use that trade as a barometer.
The Phillies have a nice group of players in Lakewood (Low A) who seem to be attractive to other organizations. Still, I’m not sure how you’d be able to get Oswalt without some major league ready talent– talent that would be received in a Jayson Werth trade. Unless I’m missing something, trading JA Happ and some Low A guys for Oswalt doesn’t seem to work.
Um, the players at the heart of the Angels deal for Haren were single A pitchers (Cobin and Skaggs). Why should the Astros expect to get more advanced talent for the older and more expensive Roy Oswalt?
Yes, Oswalt’s contract appears to be an albatross- but why does that mean Houston will take that into account and expect lesser prospects?
Oswalt commands a high salary, one he may or may not be worth over the next 2+ years. Unless the Astros eat a good chunk of change, they’re not going to get a decent return for Roy.
Ahh..but you forget how inept the Astros GM is…if Oswalt gets traded, no matter who he goes to, there is a 95% chance the Astros get fleeced in the deal, based solely on Ed Wade’s awful track record.
Actually Guys,
If the Astros send Roy Oswalt Brandon Lyon and Chia Jen-Lo with the Astros sending 10 million cash to cover Oswalts salary
for
Jayson Werth JA HAPP Jarrod Cosart and Matthew Rozzitto
It would get this deal DONE
Then the Astros could try and Flip JA HAPP and Jayson Werth to fill there needs else where. Or Keep Werth and hope he turns into a Type B or A FA
I mean think about it If the Astros got this deal today the 26 of July they could push a deal in 5 days that would net them players they could use.
Think About this If the Trade went down: Astros Contact Rays and say Hey we have Jayson Werth Koby Clemens and Tanner Bushue would you be willing to send us Wade Davis Lance Moore and Jake McGee?
Im real sure since everyone thinks Carlos Pena will be gone it would entice the Rays to do this Trade.
You’re vastly overestimating how much the Astros would get in either of those exchanges. They wouldn’t get Werth, Happ, and Cosart in the first, and they would never get both Davis and McGee in the second.
Werth is already a Type A Free Agent, according to the Elias rankings posted here today.
As much as it may suck for Astros fans to hear, no one wants Brandon Lyon and his 4.89 xFIP. The ‘Stros are stuck with that awful contract. The Phillies would be paying 5 million a year for 3 years to a 7th or maybe an 8th inning guy.
I would like to see my hometown team bank in on Oswalt. I would love to see Roy and Roy at the top of the rotation. If the Phils don’t give up Werth, they would have to give up some pretty good prospects and probably J.A. Happ. They have 2 very good outfield prospects and they will replace Werth and Ibanez. John Mayberry Jr. is decent, hes not their best prospect, but he can get the job done. But by some scouts the Phillies have the best prospect in the majors in Dominic Brown. Just about everyone compares him to Darryl Strawberry. But he is faster. And hes already hit 22 home runs this year in AA and AAA combined. Happ was the Phillies best starter last year, maybe their best pitcher on a world series club and he was a rookie. I dont see the phils getting Oswalt but maybe they can get Ted Lilly. But what we really need in philly is a closer like Joakim Soria or Matt Capps.
Mayberry still stinks.
i dont know how good he’ll be, but i still like him as a player
When Daryl Strawberry was Domonic Brown’s age, he was already an all-star hitting more home runs in the majors than Brown is in the minors. Let’s not go crazy here.
Anyone can compare any player to whatever other player he wishes. If I’m not mistaken, Scott Boras once compared J.D. Drew to Mickey Mantle…
Well, we’re supposed to be having rational discussion, not working on commission. Brown’s a great prospect, not an all-time great prospect.
Im just saying, most scouts think hes the best prospect in the league, and he batted Cleanup in the futures game so i’d reckon hes gonna be pretty good. And he beat out a simple grounder to the shortstop in a game this year thats half of what u need to know about him. And i think the 20 or so homeruns in 91 games tell the rest of the story. He’s the real deal. Add 109 hits, 16 stolen bases, and a .585 slugging percentage and ya got yourself a great player.
Oh, I won’t argue with what you just said and I think he’s the best prospect in the minors right now. All the more reason not to use hyperbole. He’s not the prospect Strawberry was. That’s not a ding on him.
In Philliesphan’s defense, he didn’t just pick Strawberry out of a hat. Scouts have been quoted using that comparison.
Not saying I agree with it, just noting a probable source.
Lee’s off the market. Haren’s off the market. Now please, for the love of God, let Oswalt be traded so that the endless speculation will be done with for all the major starters this year.
My guess based on these reports is that the Astros are seeking Happ, Singleton, Colvin, and a low-end grade C prospect, and the Phillies are balking at including Singleton.
Happ, JC Ramirez and maybe Mathieson. Take it or leave it, Wade.
If I’m Ed Wade, I’m passing on any deal without at least one prospect who has high upside. It’s fine if the prospect is far from the majors, but he needs to be a blue chip prospect or have a good chance to become a blue chip prospect in the future.
Ramirez and Mathieson are fringe contributors… a back of the rotation starter and a bullpen arm isn’t going to cut it.
Oswalt is owed too much money for 2010+2011. This reduces his value greatly.
True, but we don’t know how much $ Wade is agreeing to put in, if any. The Astros said they would be willing to include cash considerations for the right trade.
Its JC Romero and the phils have no chace with that offer.
No, it really is JC Ramirez. Landed in the Cliff Lee deal.
After watching Lidge almost implode again today, Phils have to keep Mathieson around as a potential closer. I’d rather give up Singleton, who is blocked by Howard and the long-term deal he just signed.
youd rather keep a late 20’s reliever whose had 2 tommy john surgeries and lacks a 2nd plus pitch over the best bat left in A ball?
honestly i’d rather trade werth…..dominic brown needs to be up in philly
You don’t trade Werth to bring up Domonic Brown in the context the Phillies are set right now. If this was 2000 and the team slogan for the year was “Bring it on!” and us fans were saying “Send it back!” it would make sense to trade Werth. But we’re not, and it doesn’t.
Ed Wade is a bona fide grade-A weenie when it comes to being a GM. We all know this. If Ruben can’t convince him to take a Haren-esque return for Oswalt, he’ll also be a bona fide grade-A weenie, only with a Stanford degree. And, again, when it comes to the context in which the current Phillies team is set, Ruben might look even dumber than Wade could have.
same here
I’m not convinced that Oswalt is moved for less than Haren, especially if it’s to the Cardinals. The Caridinals have to include Shelby Miller on account of they have nothing else worth noting in their system, and they are division rivals w/ the stros. John Jay and Brendan Ryan couldn’t get you Brian Moehler if you wanted him. I could care less who else is in that deal as long as Miller is coming back to Houston
As for Philly…Happ is 27 and doesn’t project any higher than a #3 starter. I wouldn’t exactly call him the centerpiece of a trade…although I do like the kid. If I’m Ed Wade, I’m all over Singleton since the Astros system desperatly needs young power hitters. Singleton, Happ and a low C prospect gets it done for me, with the Astros throwing in some cash
Singleton and a couple minor prospects should get it done.
Singleton?? Cardinals prospect??
You’re a Phillies fan. You should know who Jonathan Singleton is, an 18yr old 1st base prospect. Top 50 already
Wow, Singleton is the best Phillies prospect not named Brown. He is considered to be the best 18 year old prospect in the game. A 1b but hopefully moving to the OF next year.
Only problem with going to the OF is speed/athleticism. He’s only 18, 6-6, 215…and growing. He really is tailor-made for 1B.
Two Words: Pat Burrell. 6’4 235 and played left field.
You forgot to tack on “horribly” to the end of your sentence.
And from what I read he is 6’2 210…..DomBrown is 6’5 200 lbs… So, they are similar in height and weight and also I heard he has been losing weight and improving upon his defense.
ask a WR coach if 6’2 210 and 6’5 200 is the same thing. Also you cant use the Pat Burrell defense when it comes to plausible outfielders
Jarred Cosart is ranked higher than Singleton, I believe.
He’s on the DL the rest of the year, I think by next years rankings it will be Dom Brown – Singleton – Cosart – Colvin
I think they’re just keeping his innings down so he can play in the Fall. I don’t think what you propose is crazy, however. Some say Colvin could be as good as Cosart. And the funny thing is, if May can ever get his BB’s down, he could be in the same grouping.
Yeah, def. They have a lot of young arms in their system with some promising young A players around 18-20. If they can get a couple more young arms for Werth, they could really be a force for the next 5-10 years as far as pitching goes anyway. I’m still liking a guy like Matt Moore from the Rays for WErth.
i dont think that singleton quite yet will be ahead of cosart but he def will be in the top 50 next year. hopefully he can make the fast rise like brown and replace raul in two years. i know its a pipe dream for him to make it two years but he has corner OF written all it.
Jon Jay is worth more to the Cardinals, IMO, than Oswalt would be. Ludwick will be expensive in arbitration next year, and the likely Pujols extension will make cutting some (or many) corners necessary. Jay has been very good in the OF and could be a good replacement for Ludwick in 2011, and I think that is a more pressing need than another starter.
My hope is that the Cards go for a #3-type starter, which is what they have an opening for after Carp and Waino, rather than paying an ace salary for a back-of-the-rotation need.
after that first sentence i stopped reading
Cards must be hard up for players if a 4th outfielder type is worth more than a borderline ace / excellent #2 starter.
If Drayton requires a “return he can brag about” then it’s time for everyone to move on to someone else. Oswalt’s staying put. A young, frontline player and 2 top prospects? Even Ruben Amaro, Jr.’s not doing that.
How do you other phillies fans feel about maybe losing Happ? I think it could be a big mistake, you look at his rookie year last year, it was great! -and that was only his rookie year, who knows what he’s got left in him.
I’m not thrilled about the idea of losing Happ… but Oswalt is much better. He’s been a top of the rotation starter for 8 or 9 years. He puts up very good, consistent numbers, and most starters of his caliber still have several good years left in them at 33 or 34 or whatever he is now. Happ has been a very pleasant surprise, but pitchers who haven’t had at least 3 or 4 solid seasons are pretty unpredictable. Oswalt is probably the 1 guy on the market right now I’d trade Happ for.
I understand what your saying, but it’s sounding like we’ll only have Oswalt through 2011 if they don’t pick up the option. It seems to me we would have better chances having Happ for years and years to come.
Come on…Happ is a #4 major league starter at best. He is nice, but his rookie year was a fluke. He will never come close to matching those numbers again. I am a Phillies fan, but let’s be real. J.A. Happ is the baseball version of Ron Hextall – great rookie year, and all downhill from there.
The only thing that makes me not want to lose Happ is that it would mean keeping Kyle Kendrick in the rotation unless Moyer comes back. I’d rather the Rotation be Halladay, Oswalt, Hamels, Blanton, Happ than Halladay, Oswalt, Hamels, Blanton, Kendrick/Moyer. Though either way that’s a much better rotation than we have.
I’m a Phils fan, and I’ll tell you that Happ get insanely lucky. For some voodoo-like reason, he manages to strand a lot of baserunners. Eventually that is going to catch up to him and he’ll revert to what he really is: A lefthanded version of Joe Blanton.
“The Astros seek ‘a young, front-line player off the big-league roster, two high-end prospects and one more prospect’ for Oswalt, making a trade far from a sure thing. Stark contends that Astros owner Drayton McLane will require a return he can brag about.”
– lolololololololololololololololololololol, Drayton McLane is such a delusional tool.
Can we trade Drayton?
Any return you got would be one you could brag about!
The Astros do have one thing working against them: BIG contracts. Carlos Lee is owed $18.5m/yr for 2011 and 2012; Oswalt is owed $16m in 2011, w/ a club option for $16m in 2012. They MUST move one of those contracts…with Oswalt the most movable piece. Berkman comes off the books this year, but unfortunately (as of today) is only a Type B. That said, regardless of Oswalt being the best arm left on the market, Houston is FAR from in the driver’s seat. Asking for “a young, front-line player off the big-league roster, two high-end prospects and one more prospect” is great as a starting point, and “high-end” really depends on how your scouts see the players (Arizona might think the Skaggs kid projected as a #2 or something, just as an example). The beauty is this — if they can trade Oswalt, and Berkman comes off the books, they’ve freed up $30m to do other things with. Rather than trying to get 4 pieces…or 5…they should look to get 1 BIG piece and work on adding players to the deal from that BIG piece.
Along with the big contract, Oswalt also has a no trade clause. He’s so eager to leave that he’ll waive it, only if they will send him to about two teams. Maybe this “loyal” Houston pitcher could restructure his contract; or maybe just agree to go wherever Houston could get the best deal, but no. I have a very low opinion of Oswalt these days. He should of thought about the “what ifs” BEFORE he signed the long term, no trade contract, and then turned around and demanded a trade.
The team he prefers is a Houston division rival, nice, Oswalt! It’s going to be difficult to move him under the circumstances. Houston should trade Rodriguez and Myers for salary relief, which would help for next year too. They would be far easier to move IMO.
Why would Houston trade Rodriguez and Myers for salary relief?? They both are making around 5 million this year.
They would be easier to move for younger players. Rodriguez’ arbitration should net him another raise for next season, and Myers has a mutual option. If he doesn’t pick it up, or the Astros don’t, he walks for nothing. For a team going nowhere, saving some money is better than saving no money. Getting younger is better than the status quo, which they can if they were to trade those two.
Oswalt? How are they going to get anything with the narrow parameters they have to work with?
Assuming Myers keeps performing, he should be at least a B free agent by year’s end. Latest rankings show him only two spots behind a B ranking, and he’s rapidly making up ground after his horrible 2009.
But you said salary relief not prospects of course they would be easier easier to move. And for Wandy’s arbitration he should not make more than 10 million next year which i think its still really reasonable.
Salary relief is great, but the list of projected free agents for this upcoming offseason doesn’t look very impressive, and even less so if the plan is to go younger and compete in 2 or 3 years, optimistically. Any money we shave off this year, which will likely be lance and roy, as stated, will just get put back in drayton’s pockets because there’s just nothing on the market. As an astros fan I feel very sad about the next 2 years, but very optimistic after that.
To get back to the point, I’m inclined to agree with you. Get what we can, but one blue chip is essential, and enjoy having a much lower salary next year where we can hopefully build later. However, I’m sad to think that since drayton tries to contend every year, albeit with less talent than necessary, he’ll probably sign a bunch of players who will eat up his money, complain about halfway through the season that he can’t make any really meaningful moves at the deadline because he’s at his payroll limits, and we’ll be left sad and disappointed again.
I like Wade, though he’s not perfect, but there are lots of bonehead moves by lots of GMs. Drayton, on the other hand, really has to go.
Could the Phillies look any dumber for trading Lee? What a HUGE mistake that little fiasco was
Good insight, dude. Seriously, that’s the first time I’ve ever heard someone point that out…
Yeah, bragging rights are a great way to gauge the merits of a trade.
Thats why I only date girls I can brag about to the guys. Thats also why I’m single…
Hopefully, for the sake of Astros fans out there, Ed Wade is smarter than the D’Backs and actually asks for, you know, value for his player back.
From the comments I’ve read so far, though, Stros fans seem to rather hate Wade.
Oh, and Roy Oswalt has been the best available starter since Cliff Lee was traded. Dan Haren is great and all, but Roy Oswalt is superior.
im pretty sure they were basing it on value of contract not level of player skill alone. given that fact Haren was def the next best after Lee
Unless the Astros eat the rest of the 2010’s money theyll be lucky to get 1 blue chip prospect. With what just happened with Haren is any indicator with money I find it hard to believe the Astros will get much better if theyre insistent on not taking on any of the contract.
Not only are the low A ball guys talented, they will be twice as valuable in 2011 and with the money coming off the books in 2012 itll make it easier for the Phillies to make a move next year for a premium player during the season. This is why I think its extremely doubtful anyone from Clearwater or Lakewood will be moved this year.
Drayton McLane and the Astros front office are unreal.. they are not going to get what they want for Oswalt. Hes not even worth that much. Seems to me the Stros are poor loosers and just want their organizations name talked about for the time being. Somebody needs to tell Drayton McLane that this is a business and he needs to make wise business decisions to better his club intead of looking for a trade he can “brag” about with his fellow riches. Pathetic.. I would be pist if I was a an Astros fan. Why whould they need ML ready players? There 15 back from anything and donthave a soild chance to make it to the playoffs.. Rebuilding mode guys.. get your prospects!
anybody else hearing that werth was held out because he is getting traded to the padre’s soon? any more info, please post it. i’m stuck at work and can’t goof off too much.
He was just gettin a day off. He’s in the game as a defensive rep now
“young front-line MLB player,2 high-end prosprcts and another prospect”haha that’s pretty funny. just see what indians got when they sent Sabathia and Lee. even though they’re just in their prime time, they got almost nothing special. what did Jays get when they traded the best pitcher of MLB? just one high-end prospect and two fine prospects.It’s pretty obvious Oswalt’s prime time is over. if they keep saying that, Oswalt can’t help just staying and will retire as soon as his remaining contract expires
as a phils fan id like to see them land oswalt without giving up werth. possibly a trade for oswalt including happ, singleton, ramirez and maybe sanchez could fulfill the needs of houston. if not, a decent replacement for the future could be trading werth to the rays for hellickson and davis. id love to see werth stay but they are 2 solid prospects from the rays and they are looking for a middle of the order bat. i love werth but signing him doesnt look promising. although he is a streaky hitter, he could be heating up and maybe boosting his value a little. he is hitting .387 (12-for-31) with five doubles and three RBIs in his last nine games.
actually, he hasnt hit that great. last time he hit a HR was more than a month ago.
werth’ value is now hitting the bottom, which means we shouldn’t sell him
Singleton should not be traded, esp. for a pretty hefty contract. This guy has been called the “best 18 year old prospect since Manny Ramirez” and “The best prospect in the minors” by scouts according to Jason Stark. He has more walks that strikeouts, 12 HRs, a .300+ BA, and is athletic enough to be moved to a corner OF spot. Leaving the Phillies with Singleton, Brown, and Victorino/Gose OF in 2012. The only way, I think, the Phillies would have traded him was for Haren.
Werth won’t land you Davis or Hellickson, let alone both.
mclane is insane…he wont get that much unless they eat a TON of salary….unless the phils can get that much for werth and then package happ….and ruben will be murdered within the hour if he does that
The Phils more than likely couldn’t meet these demands without trading Domonic Brown. Werth’s a free agent soon, so letting go of him and Brown just to get Oswalt in the rotation… I’m not sure what’d be dumber, Drayton’s sky-high (and frankly, unreasonable) asking price, or Amaro leaving a black hole in right field to get a guy who’d be a #2 starter.
…These conversations make Brian Sabean look like a damned genius.
WOW who the hell DOES oswalt want to play for???? besides the Cardinals that is.
now im getting the feeling, its St.Louis or nothing.
or Yankees
No, Oswalt said he doesn’t want to play in a big city. But you’re right, we should never count out the Yankees, like many of us did with the Mark Texeira deal.
my bad, I didnt see where he had said he didnt want to play in a big city.
i dont think its a good fit with the yanks but you never know they were supposedly not in on Lee and Haren either and then after we find out that their offers were rejected. Cashman is a sly devil for sure
This is probably gonna come down to the wire. We’ve got a cat and mouse game going on here and whoever blinks first looses. Oswalt better play his cards right or he’ll end up rotting in Houston until the off season or next year’s deadline.
“A source tells Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that Oswalt does not want to play for the Phillies.” Why is this information just coming out now? I’m not really sure if I believe it, but if it is true, the question is would you rather win 75 games and probably break the all time wins leader for the astros or would you rather help a team make it to the playoffs and have a chance to play in a world series for the next 2 years?
hes coming to LA baby!!!!!!! you heard it first from me we are their last resort and they dont want to trade with in the division dodgers are logical the deal will be scott
elbert james mc doneld and maybe blake dewitt why the heck not ???!?!?!!?!?!?!?
dodger fans like me know we have a bad rotation but if you think about it all we nee is an ace billz is not good when he is looked on to be an ace not at his young age when he was #2 in 2008 he went 16-10 with like a 3.14 era!!! then you have kershaw who already has a 2.96 era and had a 2.78 era last year he is only going to get better hes 22 dodgers should lock him up can u imagen
#1 oswalt
#2 kershaw
#3 billz
#4 padilla
#5 kuroda
that ladies and gentlemen is a good maybe great rotation and with the stress of the young guys to be studs they will preform even better goooooooo dodgers and yes im a little biased i know
its actully going to be scott elbert james mcdoneld 1 or two other b prospects and dewitt belliard can fill in his role or even home boy jamie carrol who is batting .280 LETS GO DODGERS CLAP CLAP CLAPCKAPCLAP!!!!!!!!!! LETS GO DODGERS CLAP CLAP CLAPCKAPCLAP!!!!!!!!!! LETS GO DODGERS CLAP CLAP CLAPCKAPCLAP!!!!!!!!!! LETS GO DODGERS CLAP CLAP CLAPCKAPCLAP!!!!!!!!!! LETS GO DODGERS CLAP CLAP CLAPCKAPCLAP!!!!!!!!!! LETS GO DODGERS CLAP CLAP CLAPCKAPCLAP!!!!!!!!!! LETS GO DODGERS CLAP CLAP CLAPCKAPCLAP!!!!!!!!!! LETS GO DODGERS CLAP CLAP CLAPCKAPCLAP!!!!!!!!!! LETS GO DODGERS CLAP CLAP CLAPCKAPCLAP!!!!!!!!!! LETS GO DODGERS CLAP CLAP CLAPCKAPCLAP!!!!!!!!!! LETS GO DODGERS CLAP CLAP CLAPCKAPCLAP!!!!!!!!!!
Just…stop.
Fortunately you only have to hear this crap between the 3rd and 7th innings. But you’re big fans, I know.
wrong again. oswalt says he doesn’t want to play for a big city.
damn that guy is picky.
Rumor around Citizen’s Bank Park in Philly this afternoon…Jayson Werth to San Diego for two prospects and a reliever…those two prospects + JA Happ to Houston for Roy Oswalt.
Jayson Stark did shoot down this rumor already, but then, why did the Phillies ballpark staff pull all of Jayson Werth’s jerseys off the racks today?
LoL. You miss a lot while at the actual game. Oswalt doesn’t want to play here so let’s turn our attention to someone that does want the opportunity to play in the playoffs and compete for a championship.
So, Any other sleeper frontline starters that might be available?
I missed nothing. The “Roy Oswalt doesn’t want to play in Philly” nonsense is supposedly posturing…Oswalt trying to force the Phillies to guarantee his option to “convince him”.
Some would called that a “negotiating tactic”. I would still like to know a better explanation for why Jayson Werth merchandise disappeared off the shelves today. That means more to me than some unnamed “source” of Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi…a source that could be a 9-year old kid on a Houston street corner wearing an Oswalt jersey.
I’ll tell you what, the media and fans are running with this story that he doesn’t want to play here. That becomes a pretty terrible “negotiating tactic” when you don’t know how to handle a major market team and how it’s surroundings operate. And who cares about the werth merchandise, you’re really reaching with that one and can’t possibly know that they removed every piece of werth gear. also, they do take down the jerseys on the concourse merch stands and put them in storage for the evening. I can’t believe I’m discussing this, lol.
That’s pretty interesting, if true.
so Jayson Werth can’t be traded without Oswalt being traded? lol If they are really pulling everything of his off the shelves you could be onto something, but I’m not sure how that means Oswalt has been dealt.
“A source tells Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that Oswalt does not want to play for the Phillies.”
Statement of the day. Mediocre is overated.
Yeah, I mean, who wants to play for a team that has does nothing but win for the last three-plus years? Crazy.
I thought Oswalt wanted to win? Oh wait…no, he’s never wanted to win. He just wants to hide in a bubble and collect his paychecks.
That’s what I’m implying. Just makes no sense. Go to the Phils and have a chance or stay and be average with an average team.
It’s not simply about winning. Even if it was, Philly doesn’t necessarily give him the best chance to win. At least not this season.
Other factors come into play. A big one being happiness. Why should he go to a city that he doesn’t like, just for an outside shot at winning? All indications are he’s a quiet, southern, family man. I can understand a reluctance to go to a big city with the reputation of Philly. Why would he want to go to a team/city where the fans/media will eat him alive if he doesn’t live up to expectations?
They are only 4.5 out of both the wild card and division. you put oswalt on this staff with how Cole is pitching no one not even the cards would match up with that.
Philly is only 3.0 out of the wild card.
How does he or you know how he would like Philly? He has never played there. If he performs up to his capabilities, he will be loved in Philly. They will kill for him. But, he probably knows that he won’t be able to perform beyond next season and doesn’t want to get ripped apart by the fans.
That, or he doesn’t want Brad Lidge blowing anymore of his saves.
I want to know who these sources are who keep putting out these quotes from Oswalt and McLane. Ed Wade is a lot of things, but he’s usually pretty tight lipped when it comes to trade talks. I have a hard time believing he doesn’t have some control over what’s being leaked to the press. A lot of it contradicts each other, anyway
Wouldn’t shock me if a lot of these reports are bogus
Most likely these rumors are coming from Oswalt’s agents…not the Astros. Oswalt has a vested financial interest in all of this, and is probably negotiating the whole thing as if he is a free agent.
That’s true, I could see that. Still, there was a report out the other day indicating he’d be willing to restructure his contract for anyone, and not just the Cardinals. Far cry from “pick up my option or go away”
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and Rosenthal’s report backs it up even more. I’m just going to hope we keep Happ and Werth. Oswalt is going to make Phillies fans hate him before he even puts on a uniform if he were traded to the Phillies.
Drayton’s chances of getting something he can “brag about” keep taking a hit with each report. Oswalt appears to be very picky, McLane and Wade have no concept of how Oswalt should be properly valued and continue their ridiculous demands, and why would the Phillies want a guy who doesn’t want to be there and makes them go through all kinds of loops to get him? It appears the circus is in town down in Houston, and there are clowns all over the place.
Oswalt should have a reality show at this point. “Where In The World Will Oswalt Go?”
Maybe an hour long slot on ESPN where he announces to the whole world where he will be traded. That would be something new. Wait….
I don’t think the true story will come to light until a trade is done. Oswalt was quoted as saying that the option would not get in the way for a trade, and the others are unsubstantiated rumors from an anonymous source. And really it comes down to the fact does Oswalt wanna play for a winner or not, at this point in his career? I think Oswalt has shown he’s man enough to just say I don’t want to play for team X, if that truely is his desire.
Even if he didn’t say he doesn’t want to come to Philly word for word it’s been pretty blatant. Big market city, the media, his $16m option, and all the other nonsense.
I hope Drayton and Wade end up stuck with Oswalt while losing 90+ games
Yeah. It’s a little ridiculous. Oswalt isn’t worth 16 million in 2012. There’s no way that he’s worth that. With his hefty contract, he’s less valuable than Haren and we saw what it took to land Haren.
I think Oswalt thinks of himself more valuable than he is… and from the look of things, so do the ‘stros. Though the ‘stros don’t exactly have a whole lot of other things going for them
An Oswalt trade should never get more than the Haren trade got. Its pretty obvious that Oswalt is saying “Send me to the Cards, or continue to pay my giant contract while we stay lodged in 5th place.”
Aside from the implied “…or I’ll retire and you’ll get nothing” clause, you are echoing my thoughts exactly.
An Oswalt trade should never get more than the Haren trade got. Its pretty obvious that Oswalt is saying “Send me to the Cards, or continue to pay my giant contract while we stay lodged in 5th place.”
I’m waiting for the next headline to be “Oswalt makes a your mamma jab” at (insert winning team here) why not, he’s said everything else to resist a trade. A little school yard humor wouldn’t hurt at this point.
“I want out of Houston. But oh yeah, I want you to guarantee my $16MM option and give my team a boatload of talent to do it.”Sorry, no. Stay in Houston then, Roy.
Oswalt wants the the padres or Chi-Sox. The Padres don’t need him ,they are well done. White Sox could get Oswalt big contract and It would freed the Astros . The Sox could send return Carlos Quentin.
why on earth would the Sox move one of their biggest offensive contributors in the midst of a pennant race? that seems counter-productive.
Oswalt isn’t worth much more than a mid level prospect at his salary. There is no way a deal is happening with these lofty expectations on the part of the Astros. No one was willing to offer such a package for the other, better pitchers already moved and it’s not going to magically happen now.
Come on Ruben. Pick up his option and get this deal done. Especially if he’s really willing to defer money to help with the budget. I don’t believe all of this hype surrounding him playing in Philly. If he wants to win, he’ll accept a trade here, especially since the Cardinals just can’t possibly get a deal done.
Philly fans can be a real pain in the you know what to other teams, but we support our guys. Sure, there is a troll or two (especially around here…) that will say what they want, but really Philly fans support our team and players 100%, so long as you hustle and play hard.
Well said. Oswalt is probably just posturing at this point, but in the end he’ll wave his NTC if he really cares about winning, which I think he does. Phillies just need to make a deal with Astros management and as time goes by, Oswalt’s value will fall and they should be able to make a good deal.
Whatever development I hear today, by default, is no longer going to be the dumbest thing I heard about trades all day. Hell, all week.
New York called us here in KC and offered Jesus Montero for Joakim Soria.
…Straight up.
I’m gonna need something stiff after hearing that one.
There is no way the Astros are going to be able to trade Roy O, not only because of the option but because of Drayton McClane is a horrid owner.
PHI is the best fit for HOU.
STL is the best fit for Oswalt.
Drayton McClane is emotionally and financially invested in Oswalt. He’s also prideful, and that seems to be getting in the way of what is best for the organization.
The fact is, the Haren deal has to serve as a barometer for this one. Haren’s younger and his contract is much more team friendly. As it stands (and it could change) but Oswalt is likely at peak value. He probably won’t fetch a can’t-miss prospect, but HOU would be best served by getting rid of that contract and some upside-type prospects.
It comes down to whether or not McClane will swallow his pride. My guess: he won’t, and Roy stays put.
Well, if the Haren trade is a barometer…
Both Arizona and Houston have complete idiots for owners/management…
Both players are good pitchers…
Haren was let go for pocket change…
Adjusting for equivalent idiocy…
Oswalt will go to the New York Mets when Omar Minaya offers Drayton McClane a ham sandwich and a backrub.
Of course the Haren deal has to be used as a barometer. After seeing what the Angels gave up for a more valuable pitcher, why would teams see it fit to give the Astros anything better?
I think this will go right down to the deadline, and the Astros will end up getting a LITTLE bit more than the Dbacks did, just because the dbacks got completely fleeced…but he’s not getting the monster package that’s being mentioned.
Once Oswalt signed his extension, the chance of getting the monster package for him pretty much went away. Outside of the most elite players in the game, you don’t get a monster for a guy AT equal money-talent value, you get it for guys making LESS than their talent level dictates.
Haren has more value in your opinion.
McClane’s waiting for that late season run that will propel Houston back into contention. After all, they’re only 14 games out. The Astros do not need to rebuild, so why would they trade away their ace? Unless the deal is something Drayton can brag to his buddies about.
A lot of people have been down on Oswalt saying that he doesn’t want to go to the Phillies. But, this is the first time we’ve seen something that Oswalt himself has said, and he said categorically that “location doesn’t matter”. I think the Phillies chance of landing Oswalt is better now than I thought. Though McClane needs to be reasonable.
I enjoy reading all the speculation but it seems like MLBTR readers have pretty much narrowed this down to Roy O goin to Philly. The Dodgers can really make something happen because Ned has the most flexibility at the deadline hes ever had since ’06. Of course its like saying that he got the gag taken out of his mouth while still being bound but he’s put together some mcguyveresque packages that didn’t mean taking on payroll(although some costly prospects) in previous seasons and in a season where this could be Frank’s last splash he can make before they sell the team to Larry King, why count out the blue? Just a thought for Dodger fans who are following the Oswalt drama and wondering why it seems like there isn’t a chance he could come to LA.
i think that if they had any payroll flexibility they would have had a pitcher already in case you havent notice they are going through this messy divorce right now.
yes, i believe i addressed those issues in my comment. i’m not in a bubble when it comes to what the dodgers are realistically capable of doing, but its a two sided issue, the other team has to want what we have to offer. i was simply saying that its like they’re mentioned but they’re not even remotely considered, its been all phillies w/ a dabble of cards… i honestly believe that the dodgers could pull it off messy divorce and all, its LA, we thrive in this kind of drama.
Hamels is pitching Great again… halladay has been too. Both of those guys SHOULD have 4 or 5 More wins then they do …. for some reason the Phillies stop hitting in Mid MAY… they are now showing signs of coming out of it…. having the Phillies with Oswalt and signed to 3 or 4 year deal would be Huge…