Here are a few excerpts from ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark and the latest rumors on Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt:

Cardinals: Oswalt has told friends that he’d love to go to St. Louis, but unfortunatly the Cards lead the Majors in quality starts so they don’t necessarily need him, nor do the Astros have a desire to trade Oswalt to a division rival.

Rangers: Two old friends of Oswalt say that Texas would be No. 1 on a very short list of AL teams.

Dodgers: The McCourt divorce makes it hard for the team to absorb the nearly $31 million owed to Oswalt.

Nationals: “They’re the one team that would pay the whole freight on the contract,” an official of one contender said.

Reds: Highly unlikely given that the Astros won’t trade him to a division rival.

Twins: The team lacks a true ace.

Braves: There is zero indication that the Braves are interested.

Mets: A friend of Oswalt said, “I can’t see that at all” when asked if he would be headed to  Queens.

Angels: “This is the only team I see,” an official of one club said. “I know they have some money. They desperately need pitching. And they can afford him.”