The lowdown on Roy Oswalt, with the newest buzz up top…
- The Phils and Astros have a deal in place that would send Oswalt to Philadelphia, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26 Sports in Houston. Oswalt, who is aware of the potential deal, can make it official by waiving his no-trade clause. Ken Rosenthal and Jon Heyman are working to confirm the story on Twitter.
- Talks between the Phillies and Astros have intensified in the last day, according to ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark. The clubs have more or less agreed on players – J.A. Happ and prospects would go to Houston – but they can’t agree on how much salary the Astros will absorb. Jayson Werth is off the market, so taking on payroll won’t be easy for the Phils.
- The Dodgers are now more focused on trying to obtain Ted Lilly or Paul Maholm.
- The Phillies and Astros are now dealing one-on-one, with no other teams involved, according to Olney (via Twitter). Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Phillies are the favorites to acquire Oswalt and notes (on Twitter) that the Yanks inquired once.
- Three or four teams will likely be involved if the Phillies acquire Oswalt, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (via Twitter).
- Astros owner Drayton McLane told Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle that a trade seems likely. "I'd say it's about 60% that something could be done and 40% that Roy will be here next year," McLane said.
- Oswalt is telling friends that he can’t wait to leave Houston, according to Newsday’s Ken Davidoff. The righty says he won’t necessarily insist that teams pick up his 2012 option.
- Oswalt wants ample time to decide on any trade, reports MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. He doesn't want the Astros coming to him an hour or two before Saturday's deadline.
- The Reds made a cursory call on Oswalt, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, but no names were exchanged. John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer wrote today that Oswalt is too expensive for the Reds.
- The Cardinals are out and the Dodgers are making no progress, reports Rosenthal. The Phillies' front office is still divided about giving up prospects and taking on Oswalt's contract, though the players they'd send to the Astros are "pretty much agreed on." Earlier today, Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote that the Cardinals remain in contact with the Astros for Oswalt.
- If Oswalt takes the mound Friday night against the Brewers, "the odds of him being traded are down to almost nothing" says Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle. ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that the Astros are "working very, very hard" to find an acceptable Oswalt deal despite all the obstacles.
- The Phillies "remain top contenders" for Oswalt, writes MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Zolecki's source thinks Oswalt's 2012 club option "is not the sticking point it has been made to be." On the other hand, ESPN's Jayson Stark feels that if the Phillies retain Jayson Werth as expected they won't have a way to clear 2010 payroll for Oswalt.
I am glad to see these rumors are not completely dead. Adding Oswalt to the Phillies rotation would give them a pretty formidable top of the rotation for the playoff push. However this trade is not getting done without J.A. Happ which just replaces one pitcher with another (yes Oswalt is an OBVIOUS upgrade). This leaves Kendrick back in the rotation barring some other occurrence, which is not a great thing. But the Halladay, Hamels, Oswalt connection is almost too sweet to give up….still not as sweet as Halladay, Hamels, Lee…
Isn’t Saturday the end of “unrestricted” trades? With Oswalt’s salary I would imagine he’d pass through most teams.
This really doesn’t make sense to me. Mets Seek Overpriced, Underperforming Pitcher for ticket sales??? this means they have the money to spend then why not trade for oswalt. oswalt won’t cost you top prospects if you take all on his contract. How stupid can you be?
Actually the Astros are asking not only to take the salary but also get top prospects. That’s why a deal hasnt been done yet with the Cards or Dodgers or Phils. Unless a compromise is reached Oswalt stays in Houston.
I know that what they are asking but no team is going to do that.
Even if the Phillies get Oswalt, Amaro is still a moron for trading Lee.
Dear Ruben, 2 Roy’s are better than 1, and a hell of a lot better than a Kyle.
That is all.
Too bad Happ didn’t win Rookie of the Year last year…then we could have had 3 ROYs….
so WHO are the prospects?
Singleton? Gose? May?? Cosart?? Shreve??
Its nice if they’re agreed upon them but even nicer if someone would let us fans know!
you just named all of our top prospects, lol. it better not include more than 1 of those guys.
If it’s Singleton or Cosart, Amaro will be burnt at the stake.
Cosart, Singleton, and Colvin better not be involved if Happ is there.
Why not Singleton? Where is he going to play in 3 or 4 years since he can only play 1B? Think of a top of the rotation of Halladay-Hamels-Oswalt for the rest of this year, 2011, and 2012? Then in 2013, so of our young pitchers (Colvin, Cosart, May) will be ready to step in. I’d protect our young pitchers, Gose and Valle before Singleton or Rizz.
Because Singleton will be moved to a corner OF. He is the 2nd best hitting prospect and is considered by some scouts to be the best 18 year old player in the minors since Manny Ramirez. You tend to keep guys with his talent, especially at his age.
Cosart, Singleton, and Colvin better not be involved if Happ is there.
This is the first time I’ve heard that the players have been agreed upon but there have been some rumblings of Happ, Singleton and Cosart. The Phils seemed to be standing pat that Singleton is untouchable and Cosart is on the DL so I don’t know if that deal is a possibility at all. If the Astros can pry Singleton away to go with Happ, another pretty good prospect and a throw in and I’ll be very happy. I think it’s possible if Oswalt doesn’t demand his option be picked up and the Astros eat 7-8 million of Roy’s contract. Even if those 2 things happen I don’t think the Stros will get that package. I see 3 players total not 4 and I will likely want to roast Ed Wade on a stick
Considering the bag of balls that Arizona got for a younger, cheaper, less whiney pitcher there is no way in hell that Happ and the Phils top two prospects behind Dom Brown is the package. I would not do that deal, and I hope Amaro wouldn’t either.
Don’t worry, it won’t happen
The MOST you will get is 1 of those players with a scrub or two thrown in. Most likely its Happ + Rizzotti (who is now leading all AA in hitting at .363)
I know we won’t be getting that package and I mentioned that. Just saying what I’ve heard as rumors. I also doubt that the best prospect the Astros will get back will be a prospect who will turn 25 in December and just now got to AA. He seems like a great player but I do see us getting one of the players that was listed above in a deal that overall will be better for the Phillies.
If Happ goes in the deal, I would be pissed. All this moaning about salary from the Phils, and here you have a solid No. 3/4 under club control for $470,000 next year.I have a feeling that this deal can get done with Singleton, Aumont and Kendrick. No, that doesn’t help the Astros this year or next, but it does let them ditch the salary and gives them some pieces for 2 years down the line.
Don’t you just LOVE the national media “experts”! As usual, they’re all over the map…trying to be in two places at once when they really are NO PLACE at all! Of these comments, I’d place the most faith in the guy from Houston and NONE in ESPN, SI, Fox or MLB.
That really just proves how little you know about Richard Justice. He has a long history of saying intentionally inflammatory things, merely to get as much attention and pageviews as possible.
Putting your faith in Richard Justice is like believing everything a four year old says. The more you buy in and they realize their holding your attention the taller the tail they’ll spin.
Could be you’re both correct so I’ll defer to local knowledge, never having heard of the guy, previously…and having lived in Texas I tend to disbelieve Texans on general principals…but on this one, I think he’s correct.
Actually Guys Ive heard the Deal is done but the only snag at this point is A. Take Half of Oswalts cash or B. Take Jayson Werth Send them Jason Bougious.
Some names Ive heard Matthew Rizzotti or Jonathan Singleton (Not Both 1 or the other), Vance Worley, Jarrod Coasrt, J.A. Happ and Austin Hyatt or Trevor May (Not both 1 or the other) If they add Jayson Werth they would get Jason Bougious whom can play all OF postions plus play 2B and 3B.
This is just rumered of what Ive heard. It seems Drayton McClane wants Oswalt to atleast Tie the Record before shipping him out.
Why would the Astros want a rental player in Werth? They are not contenders and would have no use for him, while the Phillies are right in the hunt and need Werth. Werth is not going anywhere, especially not to Houston.
5 Players for Oswalt? Haha, no.
well if houston got werth, im sure they flip him…or they let him go and get picks…
He basically named the best Phils prospects aside from Domonic Brown. good luck with all that.
do you have a link for this rumor? where you hear it from?
LOL whatever source gave you that rumor is pulling your leg. The Astros are getting half that, at most.
Rizzotti is overpriced, take him. I’d keep Singleton. Young and raw power you can’t teach.
I’m fine too unlike some others on here about some of the low level pitchers. Anybody know what Taylor, Knapp, Carrasco, Donald, Marson are doing right now?
NOTHING.
Remember last year when we worried because Knapp and Carrasco were all we had.
Now we have a ton more lower level prospects with high ceiling. Go ahead and give one or two away (always gotta be the right ones though) and I’m fine. In fact I’d rather give Hyatt, May and Shreve than one of those two and Happ. Even though their high ends are higher than Happ’s, Happ is doing it now. And a rotation with Happ and Oswalt is better than just Oswalt replacing Happ.
This can’t possibly be true. 1.) With Victorino hurt, there is no way they deal Werth. 2.) Haren went for much less on a much team friendlier contract. 3.) Singleton is untouchable.
It also has been mentioned that if Oswalt pitches on Friday, to tie the record as you’ve indicated, that he will not be traded based on his request that he be told a few days in advance of any trade.
I’m calling shenanegins on this one.
Considering the finacial relief the Phillies would be giving Houston, I think that the Phils would be in a position to take Cosart, Singleton, and Colvin out of any potentila deal. I think a deal of Happ, Worley, Rizzoti, Gose, and either Shreve or Hyatt would be enough to get a deal done. Thats 2 guys in Happ and Worley that could be plugged in to the back of Houstons rotation this year and be solid contributors. Rizooti is a late bloomer who is limited defensively, but has plus power potential and a good approach at the plate. Gose is a toolsy OF with a very high ceiling very comprable skills to Bourn but with a better arm and more power. Shreve or Hyatt, would both be higher ceiling arms that are further away but with mid-rotation potential.
even that is overpaying. Happ, Rizzotti and a throw in gets it done.
I think that’s about right, too. As mentioned by a few others, the low returns on Haren and a lesser extent Lee put against Oswalt’s “demands” and his monster contract really inhibit the Astros’ negotiating leverage.
The Astros really have only 1 team they can trade him to. That takes away all leverage that they have.
A week ago, I would have agreed. But in the wake of the Haren deal, that’s way too much. No way this is a 5-for-1 deal given the dollars left on Oswalt’s deal and his potentially troublesome back.
Article yesterday mentioned
Happ, Singleton, Worley, +
I read The Rays and Stros both scouted Rizzotti so I guess that’s possible instead of Singleton.
link? Keith Law said on ESPN that the ‘Stros would get 2 or 3 average prospects for Oswalt, that’s it. Singleton won’t be in the deal.
The Phils are the only team still biting, Oswalt’s contract is gigantic, and Dan Haren got traded for You and Me…Houston has no leverage to ask for anything too outrageous.
The Phils are the only team still biting, Oswalt’s contract is gigantic, and Dan Haren got traded for You and Me…Houston has no leverage to ask for anything too outrageous.
link? Keith Law said on ESPN that the ‘Stros would get 2 or 3 average prospects for Oswalt, that’s it. Singleton won’t be in the deal.
I’d sign for that. Rizzotti’s 25 and in AA. Sure he’s tearing it up now but he wasn’t last year. Selling high is always a good idea. Singleton’s 19 and raking just as well just two levels down.
Article yesterday mentioned
Happ, Singleton, Worley, +
I read The Rays and Stros both scouted Rizzotti so I guess that’s possible instead of Singleton.
I keep hearing who are interested in him but I don’t hear what Houston want out of the deal, I’m assuming they want something more than a salary dump. Oswalt is a good pitcher but he’s on an relatively expensive contract and he performs right around the level of his salary so there is little upside for any signing team.
Maybe turn our attention to Faustro Carmona
It actually sounds more likely that Oswalt would go than Carmona. The Indians have alot of reasons to keep him, but I do agree, if not Oswalt I would want Carmona. He pitches tonight (Carmona) and the Phils are rumored to have scouts at the game…who knows anymore. For all we know Carmona and Oswalt will get traded to the Miami Heat for a Lebron autographed basketball…(better than what the Dbacks got for Haren)
The saga continues……
It seems the Phillies are bidding against themselves at this point. I wouldn’t go crazy. It makes NO sense for Houston to keep him. They should be glad they can get one decent player from Philly. If they get two decent players they need to pick up a good amount of money.
hmm….Werth still involved in a trade? Why three teams?
After seeing Domonic Brown play the way he has tonight, I wouldn’t mind if we were to deal Werth but I would much rather deal a hot-hitting Raul Ibanez. Unfortunately, I don’t see much of a market for the guy. PLEASE RUBEN, DO NOT bring old man Oswalt in here. He is not even remotely worth the $$ he is getting. This guy is 1 cortisone shot away from retirement. Don’t be stupid and bring in his old, diva ass.
The man is still hitting mid 90’s on his fastball, I’m sure he is fine, despite what some people may say. But I def. agree with the money being the stopper here. If the Phillies take on his contract, the bullpen (which is the big need) will suffer.
i heard on philly radio the astros are all over singleton…..id give singleton and 2 lower value prospects for oswalt
No Singleton unless he’s pitching for free in 2010.
Not sure what “all over Singleton” means. That they’ve identified him as a special talent? Well, so has everyone else in baseball. They can ask for him all day long, but I’ll be very surprised if the Phils give him up.
after what Haren was just dealt for, id find this extremely unlikely.
If its Happ plus a mediocre prospect, I dont see how you dont take this trade…if the Astros would be willing to take part of the salary as well. Phillies should let Werth go and just let Brown play next year…that gives them some more money.
i dont want happ in any deal….unless theyre getting strasburg or lincecum…..come on ruben dont do it
You massively over-value Happ. His peripherals are not as good as his ERA would suggest.
Apparently you haven’t seen Kyle Kendrick pitch, which happens for the rest of 2010 if JA Happ is included in the deal. By including Happ, you’re only upgrading one spot in the rotation as opposed to upgrading two by adding Oswalt while keeping Happ, and bumping Kyle Kendrick out.
Agreed, I don’t care about his peripherals. Happ>Kendrick bar none. If they could somehow avoid giving up Happ I would PREFER that, however it seems pretty set. Kendrick has pitched ok, hes had some pretty great starts, but he is SO inconsistent. On any other team the kid would be a decent number 5, but with the state the bullpen is in and the severe drop off from Blanton (who has underperformed and has looked much much better) its somewhat unsettling.
Im not saying don’t trade Happ and screw Oswalt, I just wish there was another way.
2 years of Oswalt is worth giving up Happ and 2nd tier prospects. For the next 2 years im comfortable with Oswalt. In the 2012 off season there will be money again, so locking up a rotation of Halladay, Hamels and Oswalt till the contracts are up is a good move IMO.
Don’t misunderstand, I’m not saying that the Phillies should make Happ untouchable or anything like that. I simply meant that not moving Happ in a deal would be the best move. Obviously, if that’s the deal breaker for the Astros, then Happ has to move. However, it still leaves us with an obvious whole in our rotation, as, like Mikey Mike said, Kyle Kendrick has been so inconsistent. If he could even show a bit of consistency, it would make it that much easier to move Happ. That said, with Halladay, Oswalt, Hamels, and Blanton, the Phillies have a very, very solid, controlled rotation for a couple of years. Adding a fifth starter can be solved in the offseason. My point being, those four names would look much better with Happ at the end.
It’s official…Ruben Amaro doesn’t care in the least about the future of his team. He’s gonna miss Happ when he’s got a 25 man roster full of 30 somethings. I know he’s trying to turn the team into the Yankees except he doesn’t have the amount of money that’s required for that. The Phillies are gonna go crashing straight into the ground in a few years and it will all Amaro’s fault
How so? After this season the Phillies will be in BA’s top 5 farm systems again. Happs 27 hes not 20.
The Phillies are so stocked in Single A its unbelievable. If these prospects pan out they will be fine.
Happ has health issues and according to everyone and their mother the guy has gotten extremely lucky. He is a 4 or 5 at best, but a good 5 on this team, thats why I want to keep him. So to include him in a deal for Roy Oswalt to everyone but Phillies fans it seems like a steal for RAJ.
The Phils at most are gunna give up Happ plus 2 decent prospects…hardly the apocalypse.
LOL, it’s going to take a lot more than losing some secondary pieces to gut the farm that Baseball America just noted as having more talent in the lower levels than any team in baseball.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but Philly is going to contend for quite some time.
Since when have single-A stars been guarentees to pan out? The difference between A and Double A is night and day!!! Single A is like little league. Instructional more than competitive. Double A is when things get truly serious and some guys just can’t hack it. I’m not saying all of Philly’s single A phenoms will crash and burn but a fair few of them will.
BA’s Mid Season list had us with 3 guys in the Top 50 (Brown, Singleton, Cosart)…..With Brown up, you factor in guys like May, Colvin, Gose, etc. and the farm system should have no problem being in the Top 10.
As a Philly fan I love it….I think most of us didn’t have a great outlook on our system last year after all the moves. Good to see scouting and good drafting paid off.
myfoxhouston.com/dpp/sports/mlb/100728-astros-awai…
Looks like it’s up to Roy now. IF this man wants to win, how can he say no to the Phils!!!