Roy Oswalt was looking for a three-year deal earlier in the offseason, but he has since told teams he only wants a one-year contract, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (all Twitter links). The right-hander wants to prove that his back is healthy and re-enter the market a year from now in search of multiyear security. Six teams are now talking to Oswalt and agent Bob Garber about a possible deal, Crasnick reports.
The Red Sox, Blue Jays, Royals, Twins and Nationals are among the teams that could use rotation depth and may have interest in Oswalt. The Rockies had interest earlier in the offseason and while they could still use pitching depth, it's not clear if they still have the payroll flexibility to accommodate Oswalt or if he'd want to pitch in Denver.
Garber has said Oswalt feels “great,” even after two back-related stints on the disabled list in 2011. The 34-year-old made 23 starts and completed 139 innings this past season, posting a 3.69 ERA with 6.0 K/9, 2.1 BB/9 and a 45.1% ground ball rate. His average fastball velocity dropped to 91.4 mph, however. Oswalt was a Type A free agent, but the Phillies declined to offer him arbitration and he won't cost a draft pick.
And being patient once again pays off.
I would hope the Red Sox go all-in on this.
If he’s looking to rebuild value, I don’t know that the AL East is going to be his preferred destination. There are probably other contenders he could pitch for and inflate his value at the same time by playing in a more pitcher-friendly environment.
Maybe but it’s a calculated risk that could pay off. If he has a great year in Boston after playing the Yankees and Rays all year long he’s going to be worth a ton more than if he goes and looks good for a year for the Dodgers or Padres.
Right, look at Beltre. What happened there?
Vastly different situation. The only team in the AL East with a legitimately elite pitching staff is the Rays (And that’s been the case for a while now) while there isn’t a team with a “bad” lineup in the entire division. The AL East’s a pretty good place to go to rebuild value as a hitter considering all the hitter friendly parks whereas rebuilding value as a pitcher in the East is a bad proposition.
sounds like good news but i think it’s bad news in disguise. if he’s trying to re-establish value, he’s probably going to prefer to pitch in the NL
It’s certainly possible, but even players looking to reestablish value like to be on winning teams. Obviously there are NL contenders as well, but adding a couple extra million might be enough to entice him.
All pitcher’s backs feel fine in December
Attach Yogi Berra’s or Earl Weaver’s name to this quote and you have an instant classic.
Right on once again. any pitcher that wants to rebuild value in the AL, much less the AL East over anywhere in the NL one would have to question there sanity, unless they possessed Sabathia, or Clemens type stuff from his 80’s days.
Most anyone knows it is far easier to pitch to 8 hitters and an auto out over 9 legitimate players any day of the week. But as we and other Sox (ers) have talked wishfully all offseason.. How Oswalt would fit perfect into the Boston plans and now that he will settle for 1 year.. I hope Cherrington will get off his duff an make a move.
I have to wonder how good of an idea that is for him, unless there’s really zero interest in him at this point (which I find hard to believe). Even if he shows that he is healthy he’s going to be looking for a contract at 35, so he still wont likely get more than 2-3 years anyway, and isn’t next years crop of free agent pitchers generally considered stronger than this years?
I have to wonder if a team were to offer him two years with an option (or possibly even two with two options) at a reasonable salary, if he would still take it.
Lance Berkman is probably going to be one of his biggest lobbyists now
I’m sure the Cardinals would love to have him. It’s the Westbrook/Lohse contract fiasco that’s keeping it from happening.
Yanks should be in on him for 1/$13.5 mil. It’s an overpay but it’s only 1 year.
I was hoping for something similar, as well. AL East or not, he can provide that veteran sense of stability, both in personality and in performance.
As a Yankees fan I’d be all over that, maybe a slightly lower base with performance incentives giving him a chance to make more in one year than with any other contract. Oswalt is risky, but I’d rather sign a “risky” guy with #2 potential (that doesn’t cost a draft pick) than trade prospects for a Gio Gonzalez. To me he’s a great fit.
I find it unlikely he takes a deal based heavily on incentives when he can practically name his price if he’s willing to go for a one year deal.
Andrew Marchand just wrote that the Yankees still aren’t interested. But then again, it’s the Yankees.
Andrew Marchand either made that up or is very gullible. There is no logical reason for the Yankees not to be all over this.
ETA: Unless of course Cashman likes the idea of living on the edge and going into the season relying on Colon and Garcia to round out his rotation two years in a row.
Colon is not on the team. He is still on the FA market
Yankees have been surprisingly uninterested in a lot of pitchers this year. I can certainly understand if they didn’t want to layout the money for Wilson or Darvish if they had concerns but a guy like Oswalt seems like a safe bet considering the short term commitment and no prospects being used.
I don’t understand it unless the Yankees are just trying to be quiet behind the scenes. Kuroda and Oswalt are both ideal targets for them, short time commitment, solid pitchers and won’t cost prospects.
Not an overpay if he turns into draft picks at the end of the year. Only need to qualify him with about $12.5 mil 1 year contract.
* Edit * Just realized. Oswalt will cost Yankees a 1st round pick. This might diminish his luster.
He wasn’t offered arbitration.
waste of money – give it to me – I’m healthy
The answer for most teams, is:
Yes, please!
Luxury tax be darned, give him all the monies.
Since everyone else is doing it and no one’s gotten them covered yet:
Lester, Beckett, Oswalt, Buchholz, Bard does sound pretty enticing.
I’d put my money on Cardinals, though.
Oswalt was smart to try and sign a one year deal, he will get alot more action and drive his price up. He could be the next pitcher to sign. I would think all the big market teams plus the Jays, Nats, and Marlins would be in on this one. Oswalt’s price could be over 12 million.
I sort of disagree. Next year there’s a lot more FA competition and some of that current need might be filled by a new crop of emerging prospects (at least for the Yankees if one of of the prospects or Hughes/Joba/AJ have good years). Also, he’s 1 year older.
I sort of disagree. Next year there’s a lot more FA competition and some of that current need might be filled by a new crop of emerging prospects (at least for the Yankees if one of of the prospects or Hughes/Joba/AJ have good years). Also, he’s 1 year older.
Ever since it came out that the Cardinals wanted to get rid of Lohse or Westbrook to make room for a rotation upgrade, I’ve had a feeling it was Oswalt they wanted.
I think they could squeeze him in for 13MM on a one year deal. Move Westbrook to the bullpen and all three of them would be off the books before next season. Wainwright, Carp, Garcia, Lohse, and Oswalt would be a nice rotation.
I had the same thought about Oswalt and the Cardinals
Where does that leave room for a Crisp/Beltran signing? I would love to have Oswalt but his back could go out once again.. Loshe had just as good as a season last year and Cards dont ned pitching, they need a corner guy or and OF. They need a bat for sure. Doesnt make much sense at this point unless Berkman can convience him to sign a one year at like 6-7 million.
At first I thought it was for Buehrle. Hometown guy, probably would’ve taken a little less than the Marlins gave him to play for the Cards.
Now that Buehrle is off the market, though, I think the Cards have to think long and hard about this. Picking up Oswalt on a one year deal isn’t a huge risk. It improves our team this year and doesn’t hamstring us in the future. If healthy, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say a rotation of Waino/Carp/Garcia/Oswalt/Lohse would be one of the best in the NL.
thats means no Beltran ( a soild at bat and OF replacement) which we need more that a starting rotation surplus.
Still leaves some wiggle room for a Crisp like addition though.
I’m hoping AA is allover this. A one year contract is awfully appealing…would give guys like Hutchinson and McGuire another year to ripen.
and Syndergaard.
and Syndergaard.
Yankees
CC
Roy
Nova
AJ
Hughes or Garcia
Okay, how about a one tear deal, with a team friendly release clause, that allows the team to release him at any time, without further payments, should he poop his pants.
And Oswalt would take this…why?
“…how about a one tear deal…”
No dude. There’s no crying in baseball! A one tier deal might do it though…
:p
Weaver
Haren
Wilson
Santana
Oswalt
Looks good to me plus playing in the AL might help his back out, without having to bat and run the bases and such.
That is a beast of a rotation!
The other thing about signing with the Angles is that they could slot him at #5 and use the off days to hide him when he needs a rest. Sort of preposterous move for them, but then, so is most of their offseason.
A situation like that’s not in Oswalt’s best interest. Making less than 30 starts next year isn’t going to help build his value. Everyone knows the guy can pitch, it’s his ability to stay on the field that’s in question.
Rolling in the 5th spot will put him up against a lot of other #5 starters out there, that’s money in the bank….
More likely signing Oswalt would allow the team to cash in on Santana. The money ends up being a wash, the team would stock up on talent and would see little drop off in terms of actual production. If Oswalt is solid then you offer arb and score a few more pieces via the draft.
Santana is a solid arm which would return quite a bit. You can then slot Richards/Williams/Bell into the 5th spot/swing man roles.
More likely signing Oswalt would allow the team to cash in on Santana. The money ends up being a wash, the team would stock up on talent and would see little drop off in terms of actual production. If Oswalt is solid then you offer arb and score a few more pieces via the draft.
Santana is a solid arm which would return quite a bit. You can then slot Richards/Williams/Bell into the 5th spot/swing man roles.
Padres?
What better place to rebuild value than Petco and the NL West?
I have no idea. That ballpark is one of the best ballparks for pitchers. But I would like him to sign with the Red Sox cause we need pitching.
Could be a good signing for the Mariners as they are in need of a veteran pitcher to solidly the back end of their rotation before the prospects start coming up.
Seattles got plenty of pitching its hitting they need.
No dice there, Oswalt’s a righty.
Oswalt is a better choice over Moyer or any other free agent pitcher seeking a one year deal. Besides, pay low and put incentives. Similar to the Bedard deal. Seattle can sign Oswalt, and still have room for a bat. They have the money to spare.
They may have the money 2 spare but are they willing to spend it?
That’s a good question. Management is being stupid with their money by not allowing an expanded budget. Oswalt could sign with them on an incentive deal. It would only be a one year deal. I wouldn’t see the Mariners bringing him back even if he had a good year.
This makes so much sense for the Padres! Oswalt can prove himself again through cavernous Petco and the Padres get a proven leader for their young arms coming up on a one year contract on a year they have payroll flexibility.
WOW! Now that he’s asking for a 1year deal, omg, almost every team is going to be after this guy. I believe this will come down to a $.$.$ war between Blue Jays, Yankees, Red Sox, Nationals, Royals, Marlins and Rockies.
I am cynical enough to wonder if this “one year” thing is just a ploy. Yes, it’s to build his value up. That value could be built up this off-season, by demonstrating significant interest in his services for one year.
“All right, now that we’ve established the market price for one year, among about four teams that are offering essentially the same amount, I will sign with whoever is willing to add the most and make it a three year deal.”
That sounds quite plausible.
I’m sure every team sees Oswalt as a fit. That said, go sign him Royals.
Many teams can use him
Would love to see the Mets take a shot and pick him up for a year, let him rebuild value in Citi Cavern (yes i know they are moving the walls slightly) and flip him at the deadline for prospects. Will it happen? Pffffttt….No. Wishful thinking tho
God forbid Oswalt were willing to forego an NTC, every team in the MLB would be in on this.
That said, I sincerely doubt he’ll will be willing to sign for anything other than an exorbitant amount unless he gets an NTC.
He’s looking to rebuild value, I doubt he would want to limit himself to potential suitors by demanding a NTC, especially on a one year deal…..
The Mets, hmm thats not the worst idea ive heard.If they can splurge 11 million he could raie attendence levels.Assuming Santana remains healthy they would have a decent rotation
Santana
Oswalt
Niese
Gee Dickey
not bad
CC – Burnett – Colon – Garcia – Hughes/Nova said disaster and maybe an 85 win max team last year too.
Not that I agree with Bleacher in the slightest lol
Darn it Disqus failing with the reply as usual
Note to Terry Ryan: Here is your shot at redemption for letting Kubel get away so cheap.
Kubel got overpaid…
He is going to the cardinals. Him and Berkman are bff’s it is going to happen just wait and see.
While I think the bff factor is overrated, I see the Cardinals as the best fit. Adding Oswalt doesn’t completely fill the hole Pujols left, it does help the Cardinals considering moves around the rest of the division. If they stand pat, I see the Red and Brewers as more likely playoff teams.
The Reds could possibly give the Cardinals a run for their money, but the Brewers aren’t going to have Prince and Braun (for 50 games). That’s a lot of offense the Brewers are going to have to make up, and I don’t know where it’s going to come from. I don’t think Aramis Ramirez can fill that big of a void.
I don’t see him filling that void either, but I think the Brewers have enough to stay afloat for those fifty games. If they can stay in the race, once Braun’s back I think they’re an overall stronger team than the Cardinals. It’s a full fledged three team race and adding Oswalt puts the Cardinals in a much better position.
I’d like to see the Tigers in… Give Turner a year in AAA
Yep. Verlander, Fister, Oswalt, Scherzer, and Porcello would be the best rotation in the AL, short of the Angels. Detroit would be wise to atleast see what he wants, if for nothing else than to give Turner one more year of minor league seasoning.
(Insert) team name here as one that should really take a hard look at this for improvements. Pretty shrewd on his part to generate this much interest now that all of the top flight FA Pitchers are off the board. But as a Bucco fan this is 12-15 million that would be well worth spending to take a chance. So that means we’re out…
”
(Insert) team name here as one that should really take a hard look at this for improvements.”
That reminds me, how has Lefty not showed up and said “this guy would be a great fit for the Orioles!” yet?
He has jury duty today.
Okay, I totally made that up, but really, a guy with the upside of Roy Oswalt would fit in pretty much any rotation, including the Orioles. I wouldn’t mind seeing him in the Cubs rotation either.
Garza
Dempster
Oswalt
Zambrano
Wells/Cashner
That’s not anywhere near as horrible as last year’s was.
I am going to put the Pirates chances of making the playoffs at 3%. Unless a huge portion of the NL Centrals best players miss major time, and the Pirates make huge strides with their SP its a waste of money.
Pirates have already taken a chance on Bedard, who put up similar and slightly better numbers than Oswalt last year.
With the exception of last year you know you’re going to get a lot of innings out of Oswalt. Bedard not so much. Too lazy to look up the last time Bedard threw 200 innings in a year. Been quite some time though. With Oswalt that was usually the norm not the exception. So for a front of the rotation (In a weaker NL Central) starter I would absolutely applaud plunking 12-15 million down for him for a year. And if he stays healthy that gives you another year to develop Locke, Owens, Lincoln, Taillon / Cole, Kyle, etc., etc. Can’t keep making excuses as to why we shouldn’t expect an increased payroll. Attendance was up last year big time. More revenue sharing than ever before. Some of those dollars deserve to go into the MLB product. Not just the Dominican facility, draft, etc. The big league clubs fans deserve this kind of move. And it makes sense and wouldn’t be bad PR either.
Oh, I agree – but if they are going to spend another $10MM+ towards next year’s payroll, I think it would be much better spent on a first baseman. I’d much rather have Correia (who was excellent last year on the road, not so much at PNC) in the rotation with D Lee or Pena at first than Oswalt in the rotation with Garrett Jones at first.
I think the Bedard signing helps the rotation in the same way an Oswalt signing would have. I’m all for increasing payroll, I just think there are better ways to spend it at this point.
I know you’ve probably read all the same stories as I that say Lee doesn’t want to come back. Even though we maintain an interest in him. And Pena’s .220 avg. with 30 bombs, and 80-90 rbi’s could be duplicated by a Jones / McGehee platoon. Potentially if things fall right with fewer K’s. That’s if Pedro can step it up and get out of his own head this year. So you’re then getting a defensive upgrade with Pena over Jones / McGehee. But how many wins could Oswalt provide versus Correia? And we don’t know how Charlie’s hip is going to recover. And with our bullpen I think Oswalt could hand them 13-15 leads in a year. That to me personally is where I would put the money. Just an opinion of course.
I have read the stories about Lee, but I still expect him to be back just due to the lack of teams that need to spend big on a first baseman and the amount of quality first basemen still available. If the season started today, Neil Walker is likely our cleanup hitter. To me, that’s a bigger, glaring hole than replacing the pitcher who lead the team in wins last year.
Banking $12MM+ on the hopes that Oswalt, Jones and McGehee all manage to bounce back from bad years at the same time seems too steep of a gamble. That’s why I like the Bedard move so much. Same upside – but at a much more reasonable price and less risk.
In the end, none of this really matters though, as I find it unlikely that Oswalt would choose the Pirates anyway with so many teams interested.
Oh, I agree – but if they are going to spend another $10MM+ towards next year’s payroll, I think it would be much better spent on a first baseman. I’d much rather have Correia (who was excellent last year on the road, not so much at PNC) in the rotation with D Lee or Pena at first than Oswalt in the rotation with Garrett Jones at first.
I think the Bedard signing helps the rotation in the same way an Oswalt signing would have. I’m all for increasing payroll, I just think there are better ways to spend it at this point.
I rather have the jays give Oswalt 3-4 million more than he deserves rather than dip into the prospects pool and trade for gonzalez or garza. give him 1 year 12 mil with easy achievable incentives to reach 16mil.
AA doesn’t do incentives, hes said that already…. Oswalt is worth 1 year 10million tops right now.
1. Romero
2. Oswalt
3. Morrow
4. Alvarez
5. McGowan/Drabek
Sweet jeesus…
I like it!
Seems like a perfect fit for just about any team in contention with a hole in their rotation. Are the Phil’s not interested?
Their focus is on Cole Hamels.
Besides, it would end up costing them close to $16 million dollars just to keep him and if they wanted to spend that kind of money, they’d have either just picked up the option or offered him arbitration.
I think they’re confident in Vance Worley and Joe Blanton as their #4/5 guys and they’re trying to give themselves flexibility at the deadline to acquire a starter if need be, a bullpen piece if need be, or a third baseman/outfielder if need be.
1. Bedard
2. Oswalt
3. MacDonald
4. Morton
5. Karstens
Lincoln, Correia, McCutchen, Watson, Resop, Meek, Hanrahan in the bullpen.
Pittsburgh’s pitching would, all of the sudden, look pretty solid in the NL Central. Great place for Oswalt to rebuild value.
Hope the Sox sign him. He would be a much better option than losing a bunch of prospects for Gio, Jurjjens, Danks, or Floyd. I know unless something drastic changes he isn’t going to be dominant in the AL East, but that he could certainly pitch above average and be a better option than Aceves (Who we need in the pen). Besides if the Freddy Garcia can get by on his pure pitching ability without the velocity I certainly think Oswalt could do a bit better. Sign him Cherrington then trade for Bailey or Soria (Preferably Soria).
there is no chance of the sox getting soria. I think they’ve had way more discussions with oakland about bailey. so ur hope of getting soria isnt gunna happen. and i think roy really wants to play for boston next season and that’s why he came down to only one year
honestly if we can sign just Oswalt thats good enough for me. Every offseason I never expect anything specifc so as much as i want Soria I would be fine with any other solid to above average bullpen up grade. If the Rotation is Lester, Beckett, Buc, Oswalt, Bard/Miller/Tanzawa ect I wouldnt mind the bullpen as is that much. As it is if they can solidify the four spot then they got Bard for the potential 5 spot worst case scneanrio he goes to the pen again and solidifies that.
Royals will overpay and should. He’s exactly the type of guy they should be looking at to make a run this year and bridge to Montgomery, Odorizzi, etc next year. Doesn’t cost prospects either……
If Dbacks are really going for it, spend the extra 11 mil and own with
Kennedy
Hudson
Cahill
Oswalt
Collmenter
And a bullpen of
Putz
Hernandez
Saito
Shaw
Breslow
Paterson
Ziegler
Good luck scoring more than 3.
At Chase Field? Sure no problem.
It would have been noce. Too bad he waited until after the Dbacks blew their cash on the Kubel signing. His $7.5MM /year is going to limit them in the market to obtain anything else through free agency.
Oh, and with that pitching, it’s more likely that 4-5 runs becomes a rarity, but 3 is still quite doable, especially with Cahill and Collmenter in the rotation.
McGowan or Drabek won’t get the #5 spot, Alvarez will and Cecil will be #4.
You seem very confident with Cecil being our #4. Cecil has a lot to prove this coming spring and I woudn’t be surprised if McGowan starts next season as our 5th starter, behind Alvarez.
The 5th spot os McGowans to lose.
WEAVER
HERRING
WILSON
SANTANA
OSWALT
WOW THE ANGELS SHOULD BE ALL OVER THIS PLUS ITS GOOD FOR OSWALT THE BALL DONT FLY OUT IN ANAHEIM DURING NIGHT GAMES
Wow. You’re icon is a tatt of the Angel’s logo yet you can’t even spell Haren right? What type of Angels fan are you? I could understand if you didn’t misspell it that badly but really? Are you a new Angels fan/bandwagoner?
I’m going to take a shot in the dark and say that’s an autocorrect fail.
Oswalt could be a guy that the A’s go after, a la Ben Sheets, since they have to meet revenue sharing requirements, and only have approximately $40M tied up on what their *current* roster for 2012 looks like. And that $40M estimate could drop a lot closer to $30M if/when Gio Gonzalez and Andrew Bailey (who are both arb-eligible) get traded.
With a really high bid of around $13.5M, he might actually accept it, seeing as he’d get to play in a pitcher’s paradise for a few months, and then would no doubt be traded to a contender in July if he stays healthy.
I’d like to see the Yankees take up Oswalt on a 1-year deal instead of giving up the farm for Gio Gonzalez or John Danks. Anybody looking to trade a starter is going to demand top minor league talent, and for the Yanks that means Montero, Betances, Banuelos, etc.
Yankees should so go for this
Maybe the Rangers add him in case Darvish doesn’t sign. He’d be close to home on a contender there.
Would love to see him in a Jays or Red Sox uniform. He would make the Jays have a playoff chance, he would help the Red Sox have a WS chance.
I think he could also do well in MIL, NYY, CLE, MIA, PHI, ATL…if I were him, I’d go to a contender that can play defense, score & prevent runs, and have a ballpark that’s not Fenway or Cincy…give yourself a shot at winning the WS, and then have much more value.
Not sure Oswalt turns the Jays into an instant playoff team.
Will someone PLEASE pick up Oswalt already? Get him off of the market, and maybe more teams will be willing to wheel and deal with the Rays for Niemann or Davis.
What no one has mentioned here is that a return to the Phillies may be his best option. (1) He still wants a Ring – and the Phillies still offer the best chance. (2) He may want to prove to the fans and the city that he is the real deal, Pride plays a big part in this game. (3) He loved his time in Philly – why go anywhere else? (4) and lastly.. Who but the Phillies were never mentioned but turns around and gets the star? Holliday – Lee – Pence… Lee came back for less money, the only reason the phillies did not offer arb. is because he earned 16 million and in arb, it would have gone up… Phillies can get him back and allow the “4 aces” a second chance to prove to all that they have what dreams are made of.
Holliday plays in St. Louis, not Philadelphia.
You must be a hoot at parties.
And Lee didn’t come back for LESS money and it is amazing so few comprehend this
The Marlins front office recently said that acquiring another top of the rotation starter is still their top priority, and with the trade market being so ridiculous and the Marlins lack of a strong farm system its highly unlikely they can trade for a real difference maker. I think they have to sign Oswalt (who can be an above average #2 at best, and a solid #3 at worst) in order to compete with the Phillies and Braves.
Dayton! Do. This. NOW!!!
Given how fans of pretty much every team think Oswalt would be a great fit for their team (and they’re right) then, ‘what does Oswalt want, and who has it?’ would be the operative question. And cases could be made for pretty much any team given the answer(s). I’m not sure I’ve seen a FA have as many potential destinations that make sense. Fun to speculate, but unless we know Roy’s mind, he’s pretty much a last minute Christmas gift we’re all hoping we’ll get.
I don’t think there are many teams that Oswalt WANTS to play for. It took him awhile to even accept a trade to the Phillies who are a serious contender and Oswalt wants to win. It’s been quite obvious for a few years that based off all of Oswalt’s comments and speculation that he really wants to either play for the Cardinals or the Rangers with the Cards being his first choice and that was even before Berkman was with them. If either the Cards or Rangers make a reasonable offer then it’s all but done he will go there. Oswalt is just as much about being comfortable as he is money, some of the places people have mentioned thus far like Toronto, Oakland, Pitt, and KC just to name a few have absolutely no shot on Oswalt and I’ll put money on that. I think St. Louis has been trying to trade Westbrook or Loshe specifically for Oswalt, I don’t think it was ever about Mark Buehrle like so many speculated. If they were able to trade either Loshe or Westbrook then they could sign Oswalt and still have cash to bring in a bat like Beltran. Oswalt would take both Texas or St. Louis to the next level as absolute clear cut favorites for their division since they both already are but it would be even more.
Wait, why doesn’t KC have a chance?
Because he wants to win. Really quite simple
KC scored more runs last season than any team in their division except for Detroit. If they had been able to run out at least a league-average starter most days, they would have been legit playoff contenders.
Never heard someone say that before, we had the second best offense in our division. No need to be offended, it’s just the fact of the matter. Unless a team like KC offers him a multi-year deal for high dollars when no legitimate contenders are offering the same then he’s going to choose a legitimate contender. He wants to win a ring, the Royals don’t give him the best option to do that or even close to the best.
Are you Roy Oswalt? Oh, you just know what he’s thinking? Got it.
Nope just going off comment HE himself made over the past few years. It’s just hilarious how everyone thinks there team makes sense for HIM when really it just makes sense for their team. You think after it took awhile for him to be convinced to go to a place like Philly that he would actually choose a place like Kansas City or Oakland? Sorry I use logic in my thought…didn’t mean to offend you
All KC needs is starting pitching to be a contender. I’m going to guess that Oswalt knows that too. You act like there are only two options for him. Typical arrogant cards fan.
Typical arrogant Cards fan???? Sorry to burst your bubble but I don’t have a dog in this fight. And I hate to be the one to break it to you but KC is much further than just one Roy Oswalt away from the playoffs.
Why is it that the people who always try to point out how logical they are, are usually the most illogical?
Drop the know-it-all act. Half your points are contradicting one another. And you’re acting like you know Oswalt’s exact thought process just because you read some quotes that he once made. Even if you’re remembering those quotes, verbatim, guess what? People change and circumstances change. Albert Pujols once said that he’d like to be a Cardinal his entire career, and Cardinal ownership and management echoed those sentiments. How’d that go?
Sorry but a player saying he wants to stay with the current team he is with to be politically correct is much different than a player saying he would only waive his NTC for a select couple of places where he doesn’t have to appease their fans. And not to mention if all AP wanted was a one year deal, I’m sure he would have stayed in St. Louis. When someone comes and offers Oswalt 44mil more than Texas, St. Louis, or Philly then you can tell me he will play for KC, Pitt, Oakland, or Toronto. Until then it is a pipe dream.
You’re right I’m so illogical b/c I said that a pitcher a large number of teams want and is only seeking a one year deal is going to choose a team that has a good shot at a ring. Yup, that’s really a “know it all act”. Would love to hear all my points contradicting one another though????
“It’s just hilarious how everyone thinks there team makes sense for HIM when really it just makes sense for their team.”
Uh, I believe that was the point of my post. I think it’s hysterical that you think somehow YOU’RE immune to that. YOU are who you and I are talking about, and you are apparently unaware of it. THAT’s hysterical.
I’ve said nothing about him going to Oakland, KC (or anywhere else). YOU did. I’ve said nothing about knowing his intentions, but you have; could you at least try to argue with something I said rather than with yourself or some straw-man?
Please don’t apologize for use of logic where so little of it was applied; you’ve taken some comments Oswalt has said and then added that he’d wanna play for a winner…and that’s ‘logic’? Oooh, I’ll ask Mr Spock to help me put that one together.
Well I think it’s a hilarious that YOU have provided nothing to prove my point otherwise. And BTW he said he wanted to play for a winner. You are arguing nothing and have brought zero substance to the conversation. How can I argue with you when you’ve said NOTHING. You sir are a fool and have a good one.
Now you’ve resorted to calling people names. Nice. Sorry I didn’t bring more ‘substance’ to the conversation; I guess it got crowded out by the huge swaths of your penetrating analysis. Now, run along and go argue with yourself some more; at least it will give a break to whatever actual people are left in your life.
I see Cardinals as the best fit. Even without Pujols, they have a shot at making to playoffs. They can’t really add any good hitting, so let’s beef up that rotation with Roy’s addition. Him, CC, AW, JG, and someone else makes for a really good rotation I think. Cardinals make too much sense to me right now.
What do you do with Lohse and/or Westbrook (current #4 and #5 starters, combined $18 million this year, and both with no-trade clauses)?
Some team should be desperate enough to take on Lohse’s salary. He is not a bad pitcher, but that no-trade clause can be waived if he wants.
So after reading everyone’s comments I have come to the conclusion that EVERYONE NEEDS THIS GUY.
On a 1-year contract, he sure is a great fit for the majority of the teams…
I think the Pirates actually make a lot of sense. They have money to spend, and they desperately need another starter. His goal is to re-establish value. I know he’s not the same guy today, but he dominated the NL Central for years and knows it well. No Prince, No Albert. A good pitcher could really post some W’s in that division, and that still usually will get someone to overpay in the free agent market. I’d do 12M for a year.
Roy Oswalt makes sense for the Pirates, but the Pirates don’t make sense for Roy Oswalt
Depending on what else the Padres are trying to add this offseason, they have the money to sign him. The Padres prefer 1 year deals for pitchers and Oswalt would certainly have a good shot at rebuilding value in SD. The Padres could flip him in July if they find themselves out of contention.
why not the mets? A one year won’t destroy them and Citi is a solid place to pitch… and they need the help in the starter (:
One year? Pay him 20M!
Oswalt
Zimmermann
Strasburg
Wang
Lannan
And For Grins:
Desmond
Werth
Zimmerman
Fielder
Morse
Harper
Ramos
Espinosa
The Royals should be all in now that Oswalt is looking only for a one-year deal. They’ve got a very good offense that should get better now that Hosmer and Moustakas both have more experience, and adding both Oswalt and Jonathan Sanchez could make them a legitimate wildcard threat. The KC fanbase is already excited about all the young talent…give us even more reason to be excited! (After today’s Yuni signing…you owe us, Dayton.)
Nationals, Phillies, Marlins, Royals, Tigers… I’d bet anything that he winds up with one of these five teams if a one-year deal is all he seeks.
Here come the Mets
Phillies still make the BEST sense for HIM.
They won 102 games and he went 9-10. He didn’t have a good postseason.
He wants to prove his health and redeem himself.. Philly is the place.
CBP sells out every night – and the fans love him here, and like everyone says.. he wants that Ring, and as much as he likes St Louis, he may not like them as much without Pujols there..
Great on a 1 year – $15 million + incentives
Allows Trevor May the final year he needs in AAA
$15M PLUS incentives?!? I’m sure he’d jump all over that. But if Philly was willing to pay anywhere near that amount for him, wouldn’t they have just picked up his $16M option to begin with?
What a perfect place to rebuild your value – Petco!