Oswalt: Option year is 'no big deal'
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Oswalt: Option year is 'no big deal'
Daily News staff
The prevailing opinion as teams try to acquire Houston pitcher Roy Oswalt has been that any team would need to pick up Oswalt's $16 million for 2012 in order for him to waive his no-trade clause.
That might not be the case, Oswalt said yesterday.
“The money part I can work out with anybody, that’s no big deal,” Oswalt told reporters, according to the Houston Chronicle. “We can work on doing different things as far as restructuring; whatever they want to do.
“I’m going to find a way to get it done if it works for both of us. I’m not going to go somewhere that’s going to be bad for me.”
Oswalt's name has been linked to the Phillies, among other teams, but St. Louis was perceived to the be the favorite because it is close to his boyhood home in Missouri. Oswalt indicated staying in the Midwest was not a prerequisite, either. Of course, by limiting the field, Oswalt could hurt his chances of moving.
“It helps for sure,” Oswalt said. “Family gets to watch me a little bit more. But anywhere you go, you’re still a six- to seven-hour drive.”
And Oswalt gave this direction his agent Bob Garber, after Oswalt was briefed yesterday on where things stood.
“ I’ve told him, ‘don’t call me every day,’ ” Oswalt said.
Comments (59)
Please acquire a front-line pitcher. To bring Kendrick back today is an insult.— Dabristow- Read between the lines..."I'll go to the cardinals...dont trade me to philly". I dont see him working out here. He's got a lot of "good ol' boy" in him, hence the "clubhouse culture" thing he likes about st.louis. Good ol' boys never work well in philly.— Sewellmatt
- The "good ol' boy" analogy is so stupid it' scary. Guys come from all over the planet. Oswalt is from Weir, Mississippi. He only preferred St. Louis because it is within an 8 hour trip from Weir, not because St. Louis some haven for rednecks. BTW genius, if good ol' boys never work well in Philly, how did Richie Ashburn get into the Hall of Fame?— stormrider
- Guy does not have the b's to play here or in NY which is why he is never mentioned in Yankee rumors— davi
- Getting another pitcher is essential to not only making the playoffs, but also advancing to the Series and bringing home the championship. That being said, this may be the year to stand fast and see what this team is really about, because they may be farther away than just another starter or bullpen help, and if that is the case then you don't want to sell your future.— The Reddgie
- Hey Ruben, Clif Lee looks pretty good for 15-16 Mil a year now, doesn't he?— keapitreal
thank god our manager isnt a good ol boy, or we may have never had that parade two years back.- Sewellmatt : I don't read that between the lines... This statment from Oswalt comes after he knows talks stalled w/ Phils, and he knows of their concerns about that final year of 16 MM, and also after Astro's owner already expressed about trading him within the NL central. With big money (which he's sure to get) he can well afford to fly friends and family to games and hotel them also within 7 or 8 or less hours, even it's NY, Or Philly, or LA, SD, or just about any club in contention's city. I'm just not reading "...don't trade me to Philly."
- I agree with ExiledinFla. Oswalt in fact is expanding his likely landing place and as far as being a "good ol' boy," who can't play here or in New York. You can't be serious.— chuckw
- Right now, I'm sure Oswalt views St. Louis as just a much more stable situation from an emotional standpoint, from a team and winning the division standpoint and from not pitching in a bandbox standpoint.....he's not going to go somewhere where a small park, leads to bad stats and not having his new team pay him the $16 mil option he's negotiated. He will "restructure" his $16 mil and spread it over years but not give the option up completely. Having said all that are we better off with him? Resoundingly YES! Amaro flattened the collective psyche of this team by first elevating it by aquiring Halladay but then he immediately whipsawed any psychological advantage away by trading Lee for nobodys. That is as much to blame for the poor performance of players this year as are all the injuries. Remeber those famous words.....80% of this game is 50% mental". Thompson was fired because players are tighttened up and trying too hard. You don't think having 3 "Aces" in your rotation, by adding Oswalt would loosen up those players and improve offensive performance?— Mark1npt
- Lets see. The philly rumors come out and he demands that his option be picked up if he's going to be dealt to certain places. then the st louis stuff comes out and all of a sudden he's willing to negotiate that optio needing to be picked up and he clearly states to his friends that he wants to go to st. louis, which is within his rights. People can like where they like. then today he says he can work with the option but he wont go anywhere thats not good for him. So you have 2 teams in the picture, 2 teams he's been asked about. For 1 he demands the extra $16 million, for the other he says he will negotiate or even drop the demand. He then talks about not going somewhere that wont work for him, again, with only 2 destinations in play. Gee, where's he talking about? Thats what I meant by stating that he's implying that he doesn't want to come to philly. Wake up. The "good ol' boy" comment isnt to refer to him as a hillbilly, moreso someone from the midwest that prefers that lifestyle and doesn't want to locate to the east. Just ask Rolen and thome (when he was traded a mlb baseball coach stated that jim told him he was never happy here). Or kevin (im not a philly type of guy) millwood. These guys prefer the midwest and that lifestyle and have a tough time adjusting.Nothing wrong with that. Please dont give me whitey ashburn from 60 years ago or charlie as examples of why thats wrong. I can make the correlation for 1 simple reason....It came right from Oswalt's mouth. That and his different demands for 2 different teams might be enough of a clue. im not sure why this is so tough to understand. If he comes and works out, great for all of us, but his comments so far would seem to back my opinion whereas yours are just based on your own opinions.— Sewellmatt
- keapitreal - Cliff Lee is going to get more than 15-16m a year.— jimal
- We need a top pitcher like Oswalt or Haren with the huge mistake of giving Lee away for nothing 6 months ago. Amaro and the ownership should be embarrassed, and make up for it by spending a little extra cash over their self-imposed limit. Don't give up Dom Brown but offer any other minor leaguers even if it takes a 3-way with Werth. Whose idea was it to give Blanton 3 year $24M anyway?— Whiz_Kids
It's funny....when the Phillies win the pennant, know one is concerned with CBP's bandbox dimensions. When they are back in the wild card race, fans comment that pitchers don't want to play for the Phillies because the ballpark will inflate their stats. I think comfort is a priority for Oswalt. If Roy comes here, Great! If not, not the end of the world.— road515- Hahahahahah Cliff Lee is rumored to be looking for over $23M a year, for 6+ years. Please. If the front office really intends to have 3 frontline starters, the more economic choice would be to bring on Oswalt, who is a dropoff from Lee, but not by much.— Mike P
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