Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt talked to MLB Network Radio on XM/Sirius (via the Houston Chronicle) about his status with the team and the possibility of going to a contender.

MLB: Is it something you just try to put off and say it’s out of my control, all the trade rumors and speculation that if Houston stays the way they’re going that actually your value to the team would be to bring four or five guys back to the Astros in return for your services?

Oswalt: ”I understand that part and I’ve told Houston before when they get ready to do that that I would be open to it. Some of the other guys, probably not. But with me, you know, Houston has been great to me. They drafted me and I’ve come all the way through the organization and been there since ‘97. So I understand the process. When you get to a point where you need to start rebuilding they’re going to start with a guy that’s got a lot of value and I understand that if I’m throwing well that they maybe can get two or three guys that can fill holes that they need. I told them from the very beginning when they get to that point I would be open to do it.”

MLB: You’re obviously amenable to a trade. Are there any limitations to what you would accept if something like that happened?

Oswalt: ”Oh, yeah, there would be only certain teams that I would want to go to. I don’t want to get traded and get put in the same situation that we’re in right now. I would want to go to a contender that’s a true contender, not someone that just kinda has a chance, a far chance to get there, you know, if every card was played right you’d make it. I would want to go to a contender. You know, I only have this year and next year on the contract so hopefully try to get a ring before that one’s over.”

MLB: How much longer do you want to pitch?

Oswalt: ”Well, I have two more years and then I don’t know. I’m going to play those two years and then we’re gonna see what happens.”