Roy Oswalt Rumors

Rogers' Latest: Royals/Cubs, Peavy, Phillies

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune has an interesting piece covering many topics throughout MLB: The Royals are specifically eyeing Sean Marshall and Mike Fontenot as targets while discussing a trade for Mark Teahen with the Chicago Cubs. We've heard some conflicting reports recently about whether or not this trade was actually being talked about. Teahen could fill the Cubs' right field vacancy, but his offensive struggles since moving to the outfield have been well-documented. Houston could still be a dark-horse candidate for Jake Peavy. Roy Oswalt has been telling Peavy the two of them could make Houston contenders together....   Continue Reading

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Stark's Latest: Putz, Manny, Lackey, Ibanez

Let's take a look at the latest column from ESPN's Jayson Stark. Stark does the math and finds 15 potentially available closers versus six clubs in the market for one. Should result in a few bargains or teams holding on to their surpluses. The Mets don't seem willing to extend to four years for Francisco Rodriguez. Stark says J.J. Putz would become the Mets' top closer target if he's made available. MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone wrote a few days ago that the Mets are likely to trade for a reliever with closing experience before attempting to sign one. J.P. Ricciardi quote:...   Continue Reading

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Cafardo Rumors: Wigginton, Ibanez, Rodney

A few rumors we missed from Nick Cafardo's Sunday column... The Indians would want a young closer type in return for catcher Kelly Shoppach. The Tribe has Houston's Ty Wigginton on the radar as a third base possibility. But then who would play third for the Astros? The Yankees have been calling around aggressively, even inquiring on Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman. They're not available. The Mets are said to be eyeing Raul Ibanez for left field. The Tigers are dangling setup man Fernando Rodney, hoping to acquire a better closer. Jon Paul Morosi believes the Tigers might aim for...   Continue Reading

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Peavy Rumors: Wednesday

Another day, another batch of Jake Peavy links. Joel Sherman of the New York Post talked to several executives. They expect Peavy will be traded to the Braves for Tommy Hanson, Jordan Schafer, and one of Kelly Johnson/Yunel Escobar. This scenario becomes more plausible to me if Johnson/Escobar is replaced with a lesser player. But, maybe I am misguided. Buster Olney also talked to execs who envision a Hanson/Schafer/Johnson package. Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune checked with Towers and Peavy's agent Barry Axelrod, and learned that Peavy has a clean bill of health. Krasovic also discusses Peavy's violent...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Lowe, Redmond, Timlin

Linkage for Friday... River Ave. Blues discovered that Mike Mussina's wife may be a bigger factor than we thought in regard to his retirement decision. David O'Brien tosses out some names for the Braves to consider: Derek Lowe, Matt Cain, Roy Oswalt, and Josh Willingham. Everyone likes Lowe...Anthony McCarron says the Yankees and Mets should consider him. Those clubs could also enter a bidding war for C.C. Sabathia, says Bob Klapisch. Will C.C.'s postseason record diminish his contract? I don't think so. Greg Couch doesn't want Javier Vazquez pitching for the White Sox again. Maybe Ozzie is right, Vazquez is...   Continue Reading

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Astros Players Hope To Recruit Sheets

According to Jose de Jesus Ortiz, Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt plans to make a recruiting pitch to Ben Sheets. Sheets will be a free agent after the season. Lance Berkman would love to see Sheets sign with the Astros as well. Pairing Sheets with Oswalt would certainly change the look of the Astros, who could slot Wandy Rodriguez at #3 or #4 and sign an additional free agent starter. As with most free agent signings, Sheets carries plenty of risk. He's already thrown 162 innings this year, his best since '04. Has he shaken off the injury bug? Sheets should...   Continue Reading

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Olney's Latest: Wolf, Lohse, Sabathia, Fuentes, Oswalt, Bailey

Buster Olney has a new column up. Let's take a look: He suggests Randy Wolf as a "possible trade chip" with the Padres looking increasingly out of it this year. One problem: Wolf has veto power over trades to 14 teams. He's been decent this year, with a 4.13 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 98 innings, but nothing to get too excited over. Gossip item: the Mets could have had Kyle Lohse for what the Cardinals are paying ($4.25MM), only Omar Minaya passed. Olney doesn't see much in the speculation about the Angels wanting C.C. Sabathia. With Kelvim Escobar's rehab...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Lieber, Tavarez, Oswalt

We've got mostly smaller stuff today, so let's kick it off with an odds and ends. The Mets designated Claudio Vargas for assignment. I'm a bit surprised, I think he's still a useful pitcher. Pitcher Jon Lieber may retire after the season. 130+ wins, that's a nice career. With Tom Gordon's shoulder barking, the Phillies' desire to add a reliever has intensified. Here's a look at the relief market. When a 2.93 ERA is considered underperforming, expectations were never reasonable. Anyone else get the impression that if Johan Santana's record was 10-3 instead of 7-6, there wouldn't even be a...   Continue Reading

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Molony's Latest: Minaya, Oswalt, Arroyo, Redding

MLB.com's Jim Molony tackles the hot stove in today's article. Molony says Omar Minaya is on the hot seat, though others feel his job is relatively safe. Roy Oswalt is not available, but he was recently scouted by the Angels, Braves, Mets, and Phillies. The Yanks have scouted C.C. Sabathia and Bronson Arroyo but haven't made any offers. I just don't see how Arroyo could be effective back in the American League. The Phillies are still looking for a lefty reliever. Looking at my Trade Market post, Alan Embree, George Sherrill, Brian Fuentes, Eddie Guardado, Damaso Marte, John Grabow, Ron...   Continue Reading

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Stark's Latest: Oswalt, Tejada, Upton, Burrell

Check out the latest column from ESPN's Jayson Stark. Stark talked to one exec who believed the Astros' baseball people might consider a Roy Oswalt trade, but owner Drayton McLane never would. The exec also questioned whether the Astros would've given up a bounty of five players to acquire Miguel Tejada if they'd known the player's true age. Stark implies that the Upton brothers are eyeing big bucks and aren't likely to sign extensions. Stark's sources believe the Phillies will offer Pat Burrell something like two years and $14MM. He'll probably want significantly more than that.   Continue Reading

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Oswalt Staying Put

Last night on Baseball Tonight, Peter Gammons suggested that Roy Oswalt might become available and that he was willing to waive his no-trade clause. The Astros, however, are far from cashing in their chips. They've won their last four and have no intention of trading Oswalt. Oswalt is signed through 2011 with a full no-trade clause. Oswalt repeated his stance from last year - he'd consider waiving it if the Astros approached him (and if the acquiring team is the Cardinals, Braves, or Red Sox). I imagine most players feel this way. It's a moot point right now; Ed Wade...   Continue Reading

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Mets Rumors: Kuroda, Livan, Estrada, Colon

UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 5:49pm: Jayson Stark says the Mets haven't talked to the the A's or Orioles at all in Nashville, meaning no talks for Haren or Bedard as of yet. FROM 12-4-07 at 8:05am: What's cooking with the Mets? Let's round 'em up. Mark Hale reports that the Mets have advanced to "Round 2" of the bidding process for Hiroki Kuroda. They did this by indicating a ballpark of what they might offer but without actually making an offer. Hale says 8-10 teams are in on Kuroda, including the Royals, Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Mariners. The Ms reportedly have some..   Continue Reading

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Astros Contact Cordero, Iguchi, Matsui

As promised, new Astros GM Ed Wade has touched base with a ton of free agents. We already knew about Luis Castillo, Jon Lieber, Scott Linebrink, Torii Hunter, Aaron Rowand, and Tom Glavine (see Astros rumor archive). Today we've got more names to add to the list, courtesy of Jose de Jesus Ortiz. The most interesting one: closer Francisco Cordero. Buster Olney's thinking is that the Astros contacting Cordero indicates a willingness to trade incumbent closer Brad Lidge. Olney spoke to one executive who predicted Cordero would get $40MM this winter. That sounds about right. Cordero's agent, the delightfully named..   Continue Reading

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Latest Mets Rumors: A-Rod, Silva, Blanton

Plenty of action around the Mets lately; Omar Minaya has his work cut out for him. Hat tip to MetsBlog for several of the links. The sensational storyline here is that Minaya will meet with Scott Boras to discuss Alex Rodriguez. However, Boras and Minaya might spend more time discussing Kyle Lohse and Eric Gagne than A-Rod - the Mets' focus is pitching. Newsday's Ken Davidoff reminds us of past trade talks regarding Joe Blanton, Jose Contreras, and Jon Garland. Those talks may be re-opened, though Davidoff notes that the White Sox aren't enamored of Lastings Milledge. Additionally, the Mets..   Continue Reading

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State Of The Astros

Astros GM Tim Purpura has finally admitted that the Astros should not be making player acquisitions with this year in mind. A huge veteran firesale makes perfect sense right now. As far as the huge blockbuster names - Carlos Lee, Lance Berkman, and Roy Oswalt - Purpura specifically says they will not be traded. I have avoided wasting ink on the Oswalt rumors that have bounced around over the past few weeks, because I just didn't believe them. Oswalt's 2008-11 total salary - $58MM - is about the same as Mark Buehrle's and an equal-sized bargain. Oswalt mentioned his willingness..   Continue Reading

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Last Year's Oswalt Trade Details Surface

Mark Hale of the New York Post was able to dig up some new details on the machinations that almost left Roy Oswalt a Met. He'd certainly look good with this group. The Mets were dying to get him last July, but didn't have the goods to make a direct swap with Houston. The Astros wanted a hitter, perhaps Hank Blalock from the Rangers or Miguel Tejada from the Orioles. Morgan Ensberg, Brad Lidge, John Danks, Thomas Diamond, Mike Pelfrey, Aaron Heilman, and Brian Bannister were all names that surfaced in connection to a possible trade   Continue Reading

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Oswalt Cashes In

Given the possibility of Roy Oswalt leaving the Astros after the 2007 season, the club decided to lock him up for a very long time. Oswalt's five-year, $73MM deal averages $14.6MM annually with a complete no-trade clause. It's backloaded, of course, with salaries of $15MM in 2010 and $16MM in 2011. The concern with Oswalt is his size and workload. Last year he threw 269 innings, and it was 256 in '04. At least this year Houston should miss the playoffs and give him a bit of a break. Baseball Prospectus says Oswalt should be worth about $11.3MM in '07,..   Continue Reading

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Available Starting Pitchers: The Horses

One very important aspect in a starting pitcher is the ability to go deep into games. Teams can avoid resorting to inferior middle relievers if the starter can consistently pitch seven innings. Only two starters this year - Brandon Webb and Roy Halladay - are averaging seven innings per start. Neither of those guys will be available this winter. Let's take a look at some starters who are available and can save bullpens. Jason Schmidt, in addition to being one of the NL's best this year, has averaged 6.83 innings per start. The 33 year-old is destined for one of..   Continue Reading

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Mets Trade Rumor: Milledge For Oswalt Or Schmidt

Jon Heyman busts out a big one early Monday morning: the Mets are in "serious talks" for Jason Schmidt or Roy Oswalt. The key to any deal would be Lastings Milledge. Heyman mentions that Brian Bannister would be needed to pry Oswalt away but not Schmidt. He also says Aaron Heilman could be used to "enhance" a deal. It seems now that Oswalt really is in play, which is strange given the Astros' lack of depth behind Roger Clemens. Speaking of which, why not put the Rocket on the block instead   Continue Reading

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Roy Oswalt's Name Enters The Fray

Here's a new one: could Roy Oswalt be traded in the next 18 hours? According to the Baltimore Sun: "Several industry sources confirmed the Orioles and Astros are negotiating dealing Tejada for third baseman Morgan Ensberg, shortstop Adam Everett and Oswalt, 28, who has already won 91 major-league games." The O's have said they are looking for established Major Leaguers in return for their superstar shortstop, and Oswalt fits the bill. Baltimore would have to have competitive designs for the 2007 season, as Oswalt is a free agent after that. According to Value Over Replacement Player, Oswalt has been the..   Continue Reading

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