Reports: Your move, Roy
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Reports: Your move, Roy
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
And now we wait. Apparently. Maybe. Possibly.
Multiple outlets are reporting what KRIV-TV in Houston first reported early Thursday morning: The Phillies and Astros have agreed upon a package of players to be exchanged for righthander Roy Oswalt. The trade has been presented to Oswalt, who has a full no-trade clause, for his consideration.
The two teams have also reportedly agreed on a way to handle the remainder of Oswalt's salary. ESPN is reporting the Phillies have asked the Astros to pay a "significant portion" of the $5 million Oswalt is due for the remainder of this season plus the $16 million Oswalt is due in 2011.
Then, of course, there is the $16 million club option for 2012.
That has been the sticking point all along, a baseball source told The Inquirer earlier in the week.
"Oswalt has [Astros general manager] Ed Wade and everybody else at his mercy because of that no-trade clause," the source said. "I know the Phillies thought they were close to having it done last week, but I think the difference was that option year."
The Phillies and Astros could think they are close to a deal again, but it's all in Oswalt's hands now.
If Houston is to pay a "significant portion" of the money due to Oswalt, that would require the Phillies to surrender better players in return for the pitcher. Lefthander J.A. Happ would go in a deal. So too would righthander Vance Worley, whom The Inquirer first reported was a Houston target.
Beyond that, one or two of the Lakewood pitchers could go: From Jarred Cosart to Brody Colvin to Trevor May or Josh Zeid. Jonathan Singleton has been mentioned as a possible player to move, but the Phillies have insisted before he be kept out of talks.
Initially, the Phillies had hoped to move Jayson Werth, a free agent at season's end, to another contender in return for prospects. Those prospects could be flipped to Houston in a deal for Oswalt.
But now, since Werth is not likely to be traded with Shane Victorino out at least three weeks, the Phillies would have to take on the additional payroll in an Oswalt deal and also surrender some of their prospects.
There are so many things to consider with a possible deal. One: If the Phillies agreed to guarantee Oswalt's $16 million option year, they will have committed $100.45 million to eight players for the 2012 season. That's just not going to work, unless management is committed to expanding the payroll.
That is likely why the Phillies have asked the Astros to pay some of Oswalt's salary.
Two: Cliff Lee? OK, we said it.
At this point, it would be shocking if Oswalt put the kibosh on the trade. No, he may not want to play in Philadelphia. But he demanded a trade back in May. If his monetary demands can be met (by both the Astros and Phillies chipping in cash), how could he reject the deal? He would have the chance to play for a contender.
And so we wait.
I say with Oswalt and Dominic Brown, let's sit back and enjoy the ride, because the performance by this Phillies' team is historic.— Reinholds- Their bull pen is a mess, and yes keeping Lee would have made this season a lot easier where it looks like the payroll is going to rise next year anyway if this goes through. Keeping Lee and Haap would have been a better option then the sad starters like (Moyer, Blanton, Kendrick). I also don't know why anyone thinks Hamels is having a such a good year, he still only has two pitches and is lucky to make it through a line-up once.— lgdoran
- jman, the last few years listed by wxdavid are very strong. So is this year- 6-12, 3.42 era, 1.11 whip. Dude's still a stud. Advice to you naysayers and crybabies... stay off the bandwagon!— bryneb
- Yes Jman you moron I am saying that Oswalt PROVEN stats are revlant. what are YOU basing your high school like opinions on the ...the stains in your shorts? Even this year he is 6-12 and a fabulous ERA and WHIP.— wxdavid
- Cliff Lee is better at pitching then Oswalt. And Lee wouldn;t have Matt Geigered up the salary...two years from now the 16 millions for oswalt is going to sit like the money were on the hook for for Ibanez and Moyer...— ThinkTwice
- ThinkTwice, a little reading comprehension would help you. The Phillies still hold the option for 2012. Plus, the Astros are paying $11 million of his remaining salary through 2011. This is a terrific deal from all standpoints. I wish Happ luck, but at this stage of his career, Oswalt is a huge upgrade.— bryneb
- acknowledged: dealing lee has been unpopular and arguably unwise. but there's no longer any sense in belaboring RAJ's trading him. the current conditions of the team and its needs, were not predictable. still, any GM of a championship team, worth his salt, cannot make decisions based on public perception. my guess? RAJ is working hard to finalize the deal for oswalt. to do otherwise would demonstrate lack of gumption. the shorthanded phils are rolling. they are in a position to land another(!) top-of-the-rotation pitcher. to not go after that opportunity would be cowardice. one thing i don't believe RAJ to be, is a coward. this is one fan in his camp.— josefbreuer
- Roy's waived his no-trade and will not exercise his option.— Steve Jeltz
- Oswalt is damaged goods, bad back, and overpaid to boot! The fact that he's whining about playing in Philly tells you all you need to know about the guy; he wants to be a big fish in a tiny pool! Can't handle the big time, the limelight!— JBinPA
- CSNPhilly reports Oswalt waived his no-trade clause and will come to the Phillies for Happ and 2 unnamed prospects— whsbuss
- JBinPA, I wouldn't put too much stock in those "reports" about Oswalt not wanting to play here. There was never a direct quote from the man, always "sources say". Just some people trying to stir the pot.— bryneb
- If there could be a Phillies miracle, here is how it would happen. 1. Oswalt vetos the trade, trade collapses. 2. Amaro is forced to resign. 3. They temporarily get back Gillick who proceeds to package a deal with the Jays, trading Ibanez, Lidge, Moyer and Blanton, for Scott Downs and as a bonus, gets back Kyle Drabeck from the Manchester Fisher cats for Singleton. 4. Net result: Phils cut the bloated salaries of Ibanez, Blanton, Moyer and Lidge, then gain bullpen ace Scott Downs, starting ace Kyle Drabek and can SIGN Werth. The outfield would be Brown, Victorino/Mayberry and Werth and the pitching rotation would be Halliday, Hamels, Drabeck, Happ and Kendrick. Not bad but unfortunately, the story you just read, was fiction:-)— daystrum
- Oswalt would probably have the Astros wins record if it wasn't for Lidge. I am sure he will be happy to see him.— Joe Lis lives
- Happ's stock went way down once he got injured and missed 2 months. Yes, this can happen to any pitcher, but in his case it was the first time he had seen heavy duty and had been relied upon as a front line starter in the majors. Getting hurt in April tells me that his arm couldn't handle the stress of the 2009 season. Last year I was very glad that the Phillies avoided having to trade Happ. This year, I really don't care. He'll never be more than a mediocre back end of the rotation starter.— SteveS11
Let's do it. Also carry a team chiropractor for both Oswalt and Hamels!— pedge
