The agent for Roy Oswalt told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that the right-hander is healthy and "definitely looking for a long-term contract" this offseason. Bob Garber said Oswalt feels “great,” even after two back-related stints on the disabled list in 2011.
Oswalt, 34, made 23 starts and completed 139 innings in 2011, posting a 3.69 ERA with 6.0 K/9, 2.1 BB/9 and a 45.1% ground ball rate for the Phillies. His average fastball velocity dropped to 91.4 mph, however. Oswalt is a Type A free agent, but it would be a surprise if the Phillies offer arbitration, so it seems unlikely that Oswalt will cost teams a draft pick.
I’d like the Tigers to sign Roy on a two year deal. Just because he’s replacing Brad Penny doesn’t mean we MUST have a crap pitcher to replace him!
Just get a couple guys at 2B and 3B that play solid D and can get on base ahead of Cabrera, and sign a solid starting pitcher to fill out the rotation.
I could almost see the Tigers doing that. They have money to spend, and unless they opt to Jose Reyes or Aramis Ramirez, there’s no obvious big fish for them. Oswalt would represent an upgrade on a two-year deal, but wouldn’t hopelessly block Turner as badly as a long-term deal for Wilson or Darvish.
I don’t think this is going to happen, and I think it’s for the best. The Tigers are obviously thinking Turner will be ready to go by 2013 or sooner. So, if they sign a FA agent to be their fifth starter for more than one season, they’d be forced to make a trade at some point to get Turner into the rotation. Not only that, Oswalt would be expensive, because there’d be so much competition for him — which means he’d be risky, due to how much money they’d have to eat when his back gives out again. More likely, they’ll throw a few million plus some decent incentives at a guy like Harang or Chen or Bedard to come in for one season and hope that guy can put up better numbers than Penny, who sucked in pretty much every way I can think of. I like the idea of Chen, just because he’s a lefty, would be fairly cheap, and would also work as a long-reliever if Turner’s ready to go by mid-season. Not flashy, but he did have a really decent season in 2011.
2010 wasn’t bad either. He’s Jamie Moyer-lite, which ain’t a bad thing. I’m a KC fan, and I think they’ll at least offer Chen arbitration, here, and if he’s on a team for only one year it will be them. But if you’re willing to do a two-year deal, I think he could be had quite easily for 2years/8-9 million. A soft-tossing LH would fit into the Tiger’s rotation much better than Penny. Funny, that even though Detroit is a rival, I have no dislike for them the way I do the Twins or the Sox. Good luck this off-season.
Me, either, re: dislike of KC. Probably because they’ve only been in the same division since 1998 and, other than two Detroit seasons (’06 and ’11), neither team has really been that great during that span. And the White Sox, Twins and Royals have all been in the same division since KC started in 1969.
Regardless, the Royals are so pesky! They nickel and dime the Tigers to death! And they seem like a team on the verge of getting good. You guys could be instantly dangerous if you could add $15-$20M to payroll…
If the guy is seeking a multi year deal, wouldn’t it make sense to offer him arbitration. I highly doubt he accepts it.
If he signs a multi-year deal before the arbitration deadline the Phillies could offer him it. (I doubt that would happen).
I don’t see them taking a chance that he accepts unless there’s no luxury tax in 2012 (which is possible if the CBA isn’t signed at a certain point). I think if he could get $16 million for one year and come back 100% healthy next year, he’d do it since he’s probably looking at a 2 year $21 million type contract.
If he signs before the date clubs have to offer, the compensation kicks in automatically. It rarely happens, but it has happened.
In this case it would have to be a really, really dumb general manager. Ed Wade level. (although it wouldn’t be a horrible move for a team with a protected pick).
The Tigers signed Troy Percival before the date to offer arbitration, and the system at that time meant that they gave up a second round pick. If it’s a case where you KNOW that arbitration will be offered anyway, the club might want to strike early and lock him up before the bidding gets going.
If he’s that confident that he’s past his back issues, why wouldn’t he accept arb and try to prove he’s healthy and score a bigger deal?
Hence the reason why the phillies won’t offer arb…they know he’ll accept it.
Exactly.
so much for him retiring after this contract was up… lol If he stays healthy hes a force in any rotation.
arbitration on that contract could total more in one year than he could get total in a multi year deal right now.
Except the Phillies are most likely not going to offer it to him, and you can’t blame them either.
What if the Oakland A’s got him? That’d be pretty raw! But Oakland don’t know how to use ttheir money.
The A’s need bats.
I hate how we never offer arb to our free agents and we get nothing for letting them walk..smh
id pay Oswalt 13.5 million over 2 years instead of giving CJ Wilson 5 years 100 million +
I think he’ll get paid a bit more than that and an option for a third.
I don’t see him getting much less than the Chris Carpenter contract.
Difference between Carpenter and Oswalt is DL time.
And a Cy Young award.
Well considering Chris Carpenter signed a below market extension…
I would be happy if the Jays offered something like 3 years for average of 9 per year with easily attainable performance bonuses for each season.
(I recognize it is probably unlikely that Roy O. comes to T.O.)
and perhaps an option year on the end
I recently read that AA does not like giving incentive laden deals…
i doubt he comes to the Al east, but thats doable..
I think the Rangers could sign him for 3 years/26MM with a club option for a 4th year.
Oswalt will get MUCH more than 8.5 per year, especially in this thin SP FA market.
Teams are strapped for cash, aging superstar that loses his edge more and more each season, he’ll be lucky to get $9MM per year IMO.
Come to Kansas City!! We will take good care of you!
I like Roy Oswalt in Anaheim, Weaver, Haren, Santana, and Oswalt. Nasty!
I would love the Phillies to bring him back, especially if Jimmy Rollins finds a suitor for his 5 year contract demands (sure up the pitching staff).
He was throwing the ball great last year after he came back from the disabled list(the numbers say otherwise but his velocity was there). He pitched pretty well in game 4 of the NLDS besides Victorino’s boneheaded play (how does a Gold Glove Centerfielder make 2 blooper reel plays in the same season) and running into a hot David Freese (4 rbi’s off him).
Plus if he doesn’t come back, you have to change your username ;).
I know. I thought of that the minute his option was declined. Hopefully I’m creative enough to figure something out… or I could leave it and hope Worley develops into one. (not seriously suggesting that).
THREE_AND_A_HALF_ACES
I was thinking just Aces35 or something along those lines… hopefully I don’t have to worry about it.
no you don’t. FOur Aces: Halladay, Lee, Hamels and Vanimal
a good 1/2 season does not make you an ace unless you absolutely blow people away
3 Aces now
I’ll echo everyone else and say that my team can also use Oswalt.
Why would he go to the Astros?
hahahaha. he hated his life there. its why he wanted to retire lol
If Dan O’Dowd is serious about spending some money on the rotation for the Rockies for next season, I suggest that he look Oswalt’s way instead of trading for Wandy Rogriguez.
My guess is that Oswalt is probably going to get three years guaranteed with a mutual option for a fourth, and something in the neighborhood of $12 million per year.
Am I missing something? Would Oswalt be a perfect fit for the Rangers?
I’d love to see Boston offer two years with a vesting option for a third, and perhaps make a run at Edwin Jackson and or Mark Beurhle
I would love to see them get Oswalt but I doubt it would happen. more likely they snag Edwin Jackson and have Dubrount be the 5th starter.
I see the need for at least two FA pitchers, having to cover for both Lackey and Dice K not being around at all next season, Dubront is depth at best at this point. They’ll also need to see about a couple reclamation projects that could be stashed at Pawtucket, figure that at least Lester, Beckett and Buchholz stand to miss at minimum 4-5 starts each.
Yeah, because what the Red Sox need is another injury risk in their starting rotation…
Jackson and Buehrle though — solid.
Little Roy wants victories. He needs 41 to get to 200. He wants to stay in the NL. He can only accomplish that with a three year deal on a good team which eliminates everyone except for the Braves, Phillies, and Cardinals.
lets hope cubs! he always pitched great at Wrigley
and Garza, Oswalt, Dempster for the first three spots! id be very happy.
That’s not his home state. His home state is Mississippi.
Cubs still gonna suck in the same division as the defending World Champs!!!
“Feeling great” ranks right up there with “was fitted with contacts and is seeing the ball better than ever.”