Roy Owsalt to the Phillies
Ok news from ESPN this morning:
The Phillies and Astros have intensified talks in the past 24 hours about a deal that would send pitcher Roy Oswalt to Philadelphia, sources said.
The teams have agreed to the players who will be exchanged, as well as the financial terms that will address the $23 million remaining on Oswalt's contract, according to a major league source with knowledge of the deal.
It is now up to Oswalt to decide whether to waive his no-trade clause.
The agreement on trade terms was first reported by KRIV-TV in Houston.
There have been doubts about whether Oswalt is willing to do so for a move to the Phillies. Despite reports to the contrary, the Phillies have gotten no indication that the 32-year-old right-hander has dropped his request that the Phillies pick up his option for 2012. The Phillies have already balked at that demand.
Oswalt has hinted he might be willing to restructure his contract or compromise on that request. But there has been no indication that he would approve a deal without some sort of financial inducement.
Now that the Phillies have taken outfielder Jayson Werth off the market, they would no longer be able to clear money off their $142 million payroll to absorb the approximately $5 million that remains in Oswalt's salary for the rest of this year.
So they have asked the Astros to pay a significant portion of Oswalt's money. The 32-year-old right-hander has a $16 million guarantee for next season, plus either a $2 million buyout or a $16 million option for 2012.
A further sign that the Phillies remain the favorite -- and perhaps the only team left -- in the talks for Oswalt is that the two other clubs that had been in the bidding, the Cardinals and Dodgers, have moved on to pursue other deals.
Okay this is what gets me.Oswalt over the last two years is 14-18 now yes he may not be getting run support in Houston but he is 32 to me he is past his prime. I just don't know if He will help the Phillies drive for the playoffs this year.
