Roy Oswalt is believed to have drawn some interest from the Red Sox, Nationals, Marlins, Blue Jays, Yankees, Rangers and Twins, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. However, Oswalt is waiting for trade candidates such as Gio Gonzalez to be dealt before agreeing to a contract.
Interest in the 34-year-old right-hander spiked with yesterday’s news that he’s looking for a one-year deal. However, the Rangers won the bidding for Yu Darvish and already have a full rotation, so their interest in Oswalt may be fading. The Yankees seem to have prioritized others and the Twins may not be able to afford the Bob Garber client.
The Royals should have interest too, if only because I want them to.
I would think hed want a NTC then. He’s a family man and doesn’t want to be moving during the season. He won’t be willing to go to a team that’s just going to trade him in July. To me, Dodgers, Marlins, Nats, Red Sox, Yanks, and Jays make sense…maybe even COL.
You may be right on this, but with Oswalt(IF healthy) along with another solid season from Chen, the continued improvement of Hochevar(after ALL-Star break), a decent year from Sanchez and another solid year from Paulino to go along with a solid offense, may prevent the Royals from needing to trade him mid-season.(add in a weak division)
Personally, I would love to see the Royals sgn Oswalt, but I think his chances to signing with them just took a step back when he annouced he was looking for a one year deal. Too many conceivably ‘better’ teams will look to his service. Unless he’s looking for that low-stress situation, then I could see him possibly signing with the Royals.
It took 95 wins to take the AL Central… so regardless of your perception of the ALC’s strength, it is going to take more than signing Oswalt to catapult KC into contention.
The only reason the tigers had those wins was because the division was weak
Let’s take their Pythagorean instead of their actual win total… the Royals need to go from a 78 win team to a 90 plus win team, but no matter how bad you want him to, Oswalt is not a 12 win player. Around the diamond, Perez, Hosmer, Giavotella, Escobar, and Moustakas have to greatly improve, Gordon has to sustain, Frenchy has to be at least as good as last year, and Cain has hit at no less than replacement level.
Then you have to hope that along with Oswalt, Duffy, Luke and Paulino, improve and Sanchez reverts to 2010 form.
Oh, and then you have to hope that Betancourt sees the field less than once a week…
That is a lot of things that need to go right, but you never know I guess.
“If’s’ can be said for just about every single team.
What exactly does Hosmer have to “greatly improve” on? Perez is also a very solid player. Are you a Royals fan? Did you actively watch them last season?
The only reason the tigers had those wins was because the division was weak
No Tigers? He’d be a decent stop gap while waiting for Turner to be ready. Oswalt on a one year deal… Next year should be time for Turner
As much as I hate the Tigers, that actually makes complete sense for them. But hopefully your GM doesn’t realize that haha
Indeed. Turner or Smyly should be ready for 2013 easily. Oswalt would be a fantastic stop gap. Once I saw that he was looking for a 1-year deal this was my first thought (although, I did still want him on a 2 or even 3 year deal before this, but that’s not the point).
I agree. While I’m not particularly happy that they signed Young and I think they overpaid a bit for Dotel, they still have more than enough money coming off the books to cover Verlander’s $7+M jump in salary and do this. They still need to upgrade at second or third or both plus they need a legitimate leadoff hitter and a left handed bat to platoon with Young. I can’t think of any available remaining free agent infielders (including shortstops and moving Peralta) who would be a decent leadoff hitter and I don’t imagine they’re paying Young all that money to platoon so upgrading to Oswalt in the rotation may be the best available option.
I’d love the Marlins to get him and replace Volstad in the rotation.
Who have the Yankees prioritized?
I was going to ask the same thing; seems like Cashman is perfectly happy to be the second-highest bidder for everybody in the major leagues, for a couple of years now.
it’s worked ok so far. i expect them to unload bigtime next year for someone like hamels
Indeed, with Hamels, Greinke and others available next winter (theoretically), it will resemble winter 08-09 when they splashed for CC, AJ, and Tex…sound theory, if thats their plan, though they may lose a couple bats by 2013 season (Swisher,Jeter…). There is no arm on the market this year worth killing the system for. Develop the young guys at this level, take the final look at Hughes, and next year, minus AJ and Garcia, they can load the rotation again, unless they find Noesi/Betances are the real deals. THAT would be magnificent, if they wound up with CC and a homegrown rotation of Hughes, Nova, Betances and Noesi. THAT would shut up the “NY buys their championships” whiners.
They just buy players in the draft above slot…. so while technically homegrown, its still buying…
You mean like every team goes above slot?
just like those damn pirates and rays
I really don’t see Hamels being available next year, the Phils will resign him.
unless he takes a massive discount, they won’t be able to
going to be really hard to do with all the key players committed to 105m and they have to worry about Victorin and Pence as well.
They are in deep doo doo.
going to be really hard to do with all the key players committed to 105m and they have to worry about Victorin and Pence as well.
They are in deep doo doo.
I think that’s the seismic shift it’s taken a number of years for people to realize. Cashman said even before that big winter essentially what his plan was. He went from buying shiny new things to buying what he needs short and long-term, which in turn also lowers the asking price for FA’s coming to NY because Ny establishes itself not to be involved in every FA anymore.86 million came off the books that year and he put 65 million back into it with three players.
That situation hasn’t presented itself again. I can see the Yankees bringing payroll down into the 180-190 million range over the next five years (Mo, Jeter, Burnett alone are all theoretically replaceable with players in the system or on the cheap and that’s almost 50 million right there) and only going aggressive if a front-line young lefty (Hamels) or middle of the bat in a need position (right field) presents itself in the near future.
I think that’s the seismic shift it’s taken a number of years for people to realize. Cashman said even before that big winter essentially what his plan was. He went from buying shiny new things to buying what he needs short and long-term, which in turn also lowers the asking price for FA’s coming to NY because Ny establishes itself not to be involved in every FA anymore.86 million came off the books that year and he put 65 million back into it with three players.
That situation hasn’t presented itself again. I can see the Yankees bringing payroll down into the 180-190 million range over the next five years (Mo, Jeter, Burnett alone are all theoretically replaceable with players in the system or on the cheap and that’s almost 50 million right there) and only going aggressive if a front-line young lefty (Hamels) or middle of the bat in a need position (right field) presents itself in the near future.
Agreed there. Philly may have made a big mistake giving in with Rollins and that 3/33m. Saving up for Hamels and going ahead with an extension for him seems to have been a far better plan.
Hamels is headed to NY and any team that thinks they can outbid them is beyond…
remember Sabathia said he was headed to the west coast a few seasons back.. NY threw a boatload of cash his way and changed his mind.. NY has a dire need and Hamels will take the cash also. Cashmman is playing it in his as always.. Smart and cool way.
what makes you think everyone wants to be a damn yankee
Thought I answered that in the original post when Sabathis originally didn’t even want to play on the East coast at ALL.. Check book diplomacy.. They have been the masters at it since 1977 (see Reggie Jackson) and have not slowed down one bit.
They have a target and only in very rare circumstances does there target not wind up in ‘stripes.. 2 come to mind, Rod Carew and Cliff Lee.
Seems to be working better for him, Yanks won 97 games last year.
Yankees obviously have a plan to hit the 2012 free agent market very hard
Nats need to sign him just to keep the Phillies, Braves and MARLINS from even thinking about it.
If Roy Oswalt’s goal is to rebuild value, I’ve got to think the Twins should be his number one choice huge ballpark, winnable division, and if they’re awful he could be traded at the deadline.
I’d agree with the assumption that they can’t afford him though. I’ve got to think he wants to avoid any AL East team… horrible division to go to reestablish value.
Not only do the Tigers play in a pitchers park and winnable division, but they also have a better chance of winning that winnable division. They also have the funds to bring him in and the offense to make his numbers look better.
Yes but there is one thing he can do on the Twins that he cannot do on the Tigers. He can re establish himself as a No.1 starter.
What looks more impressive, being a number 1 starter on a team that bounces back from a 99 loss season, or being a number 3 starter on a team that was already favored to win?
And again, even if the team does not bounce back, he can still be traded.
Yes but there is one thing he can do on the Twins that he cannot do on the Tigers. He can re establish himself as a No.1 starter.
What looks more impressive, being a number 1 starter on a team that bounces back from a 99 loss season, or being a number 3 starter on a team that was already favored to win?
And again, even if the team does not bounce back, he can still be traded.
Not wanting to dice on the Twins here, or rather intend to.. But Edwin jackson could sign with the Twins even and just about be the #1 with that collection of rubbish throwers that they have.
Now if Liriano can find himself once again? It could all change but that rotation needs serious help from 1-5.
Contrary to the article, the Twins , who draw 3 million fans, could easily afford Oswalt. Ebeneezer Pohlad chooses not to spend.
I get complaining about some owners, but why the Twins owner? He has spent over $100MM in a mid level market. What do you want from him? To spend like the Yankees? It doesn’t matter how many people go to the games, it’s all about TV. He spends plenty.
Well, for one thing, despite the rise in attendance and tv numbers, they are still planning to cut the payroll from 115 mil to 100 mil. That money could help get both a good pitcher and Kubel before he signed with the D’Backs.
Exactly what I was going to say- thanks Butera. Since last opening day, the Twins have added Willingham and Doumit…. but moved for nothing or let go of Delmon Young, Thome, Nathan, Kubel, Cuddyer, Mijares, and Slowey, but my estimation about $40 million from last years estimated $113 mil.
Well said
The Twins can afford just about any free agent they wish. The management would just prefer to pocket what they dont spend. Remember the Twins had the 4th most attendance last season and even more the year before.
I’m sure the Twins are in on someone like Francis, who can’t throw hard enough to break a window, or that legendary BP pitcher Brad Penny
seems like a perfect fit for baltimore. i know i know they suck but really need a vet on that young staff
I want to see the Cardinals express interest
the rangers don’t need a pitcher a soon as we sign yu we will have a full rotation, we need to put money aside for josh and all the young players. and please no fielder to Texas connections we don’t need anything from Milwaukee specially if they have Ryan braun as a teammate.
How about the Mariners or Cubs taking a look?
You’re question should be why aren’t the Orioles?
Is there no action from the tigers? It’d be a good landing spot for both sides.
That’s what I’m thinking… Unless DD is trading Turner in a Gio package(I hope not), Oswalt makes perfect sense as a one year to bridge to Turner.
And for his side, Comerica is a pitcher friendly park… And the
Tigers gotta be favored in the AL central again
I hope the Tigers get Oswalt. If the price stays 10 million or below and they’re planning on adding a veteran starter, I don’t think there could be a better, more reasonable option than Oswalt on a one-year deal. This would push Porcello back to their fifth starter and give a ton of injury insurance. If any of their pitchers get hurt or Porcello is unable to be consistent, Turner and Smyly would be great options as fill-ins with some more minor league starts, and the rotation would still be better on paper than last year’s.
Braves should consider it, if they trade Jurrjens
If the Nationals can’t get Gio, Oswalt should be the backup plan
Come on Where’s the Beef Orioles? I keep on hearing pitching is a # 1 priority and yet the Prince Fielder Rumors keep on getting louder and louder! Which is ridiculous!
Look Peter Angelos, Dan Duquette, Buck Showalter ET AL, if you’re serious about improving the team go get Oswalt and Kuroda. If you want to make Scott Boras happy then sign Fielder! I also had to sit there today and read about that Bologna trade with the Braves. It insults me! Jurrjens gets hurt too often for a trade to happen. Instead, go get Oswalt and Kuroda because they know how to pitch.
PS I know there’s a pretty good chance no one from Oriole Management, much less their Owner read this site. I am almost certain Angelos doesn’t even know what the internet is =P! Still, if you’re serious about improving the team Go get some pitching! Wada a mada witt you guys!
How do 2 back of the rotation old pitchers help the Orioles? They wont be contending any time soon. I would think a cornerstone bat would be something to build around.
The last thing the Twins need right now is another injury prone player. True, Oswalt has a high upside. But do you really want to trust the Twins training staff with Oswalt and his injury history?
As I mentioned before, The Twins are probably going to target either Jeff Francis (known interest) or Jason Marquis. Kyle Gibson’s injury could not have come at a worse time.
Yeah, with Gibson the Twins would have an outside shot at 4th place.
IMO as far as free agent starters go, he is the best option for the Jays. He wont need a long term deal (so they say), and wont cost prospects. And with his stuff, moving to the AL where guys haven’t been seeing much of him….seems like a good fit.