Oswalt becomes safety valve
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Roy Oswalt may have had interest in a return to the Phillies, but it wasn't mutual. At least not yet.
Oswalt becomes safety valve
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Roy Oswalt may have had interest in a return to the Phillies, but it wasn't mutual. At least not yet.
With Oswalt's decision to "evaluate his options" and an intention to pitch for a contending team sometime this season, the Phillies theoretically have a fallback plan if needed. It's not so far-fetched: Think Pedro Martinez in 2009.
Of course, a lot of things would need to happen to facilitate this scenario. First, the Phillies would require a need for Oswalt. At this point, an injury to one of the current starters would be the most plausible situation.
Next, Oswalt would have to prove he's in decent pitching shape. His agent, Bob Garber, said Oswalt plans to stay in shape by throwing regularly in Mississippi. But Oswalt has chronic back problems and not going through the typical routine of a normal spring training could make him more suseptible to injury in a midseason return.
And then there's the whole money issue, which is apparently paramount to Oswalt's thinking. He reportedly turned down a $10 million offer from Detroit and drew serious interest from Boston and St. Louis.
Lance Berkman, a longtime teammate and friend of Oswalt's said he's spoken often to the pitcher this winter.
"To me, it's strictly a money thing," Berkman told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "The Cardinals have budgetary concerns and they could only go to a certain point. And that wasn't what Roy was looking for. That wasn't enough to lure him out of Mississippi."
The Phillies never closed the door on Oswalt this winter, but were never seriously involved because of the sticker price. If the team could find a taker for a chunk of Joe Blanton's $8.5 million salary, then the odds of a reunion increase. But Blanton must prove his health and even then, it's unlikely any acquiring team will want to absorb most of Blanton's salary.
Plus, Oswalt's desire to keep pitching is still in question. He is said to prefer a job in Texas or St. Louis. He didn't dislike his time in Philadelphia, but mostly he was aloof.
Now, the rest of the baseball world waits to see how long Oswalt sticks to this strategy.
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The guy is in lala. He was, at best, risky and very inconsistent. The end is near and his credibility is largely based on his past record yet he wants to be paid for what, his good looks? If he was a prospect he'd be headed to high minors to prove himself. He also sends recurring message that his desire is gone and he's just looking for one last paycheck....get real Roy, you're are a mediocre pitcher, at best!!!— stoneman- Don't get greedy. Take the $10MM from a loaded Detroit team.— P Even
- Sorry Roy, the impression you left wasn't great. Not even a "nuclear" option as far as I'm concerned.— glennwilson
- Philly fans. Always complaining about how they "perceive" that someone should act. Whether is was Schmidt or Rolen, Burrell. Assante, DeSean, Iverson etc etc. Always complaining and never enjoying the players when they are here. Enjoy the ride complainers. Oswalt is a good egg and a very good pitcher even in his 30's. Let all that hatred go dudes.— CSpangler
- Then why hasn't anyone signed him? Bottom line - Oswalt is trying to cherry pick his situation which is fine, I get it. That said, his problem, and why the fans get ticked, is he is verbalizing it. We don't care that he wants to play for 1/2 year, make $10M +, only play near home, only play for a contender and whatever else his wish list is. Just shut up, go play with your bulldozer for a 1/2 year, and sign wherever you want. We don't need the verbal diarrhea. — DennyP
- Gee, DennyP, after watching this silly game of MLB for more than sixty years, I must admit that Roy Oswalt is the very first player I've ever seen who tried to get into the best situation he could. It's something I never thought I would see.
What is the world coming two!— BEMiller 
Comment removed.- Mr. CSpangler--There you go again! wanting to change the entire "character" and demeanor of Phillies (and Philly) so-called fans. The day the sports "fans" and sportshacks of Philadelphia wake up and enjoy will most likely be the end of time!
GOOD GRIEF! You ask way too much!— BEMiller - He's damaged goods. And he wore out his welcome in Philly..move on. We don't need him.— FLYGUY31
- We don't need an over the hill player back. You were not offered a contract for a reason. Give me Worley any day over Roy.— Hatfield_ham
- Until I saw this article I DEFINITELY wanted Roy back but when a longtime teammate and friend says he's in it for the money, wow. I mean 10 million after the so-so year he had with issues with his back causing him to lose significant time and he says no?
I hope he just sits and watches the entire year.— TheFansVoice - From what planet have you recently arrived, TheFansVoice? (And no small amount of egomaniacal nonsense with you).
The players in all the games want it both ways all the time. They want us to believe the "love the game", but I have never seen a single player do it for free!
Of course he's in it for the money!
Of course he's had some problems with the back. There's hardly a player or pitcher, however, who hasn't had some physical issues during their careers. Nolen Ryan was on the DL something toward the order of twenty times.— BEMiller - Well, at least Oswalt isn't like some of those mercenaries who indignantly proclaim, "It's not about the money." The downside is, Roy seems to have been influenced by his time with the king of mercenaries, Roger "Rocket-roid" Clemens.— ijj
- Say what you want and obviously you guys are...but the guy's had a great career, made a ton of $$$ and has absolutely nothing to prove. Probably got a real shot at the HOF. We were lucky to have him, he pitched worthy of being one of the aces for a time but a bad back is just bad luck. I'd rather see him than Pedro and you would, too, probably.— PhillySubsMac
- Geez. I would think a hoagie would lure a person out of Mississippi.— Ron
