Quality starting pitching is heavily desired this time of the year which makes Houston Astros’ right-handed pitcher Roy Oswalt high on many team’s wish list.

Candidates to be going after Oswalt include the , but his high salary and strong demands of the Astros are strong deterrents to acquiring the pitcher. Because of this, industry experts are saying that Oswalt is a long shot to be traded.

It’s been long believed that the Houston Astros want any buyer to take on the remaining money on Oswalt’s contract (the rest of his $15 million this year, $16 million next year and a $2 million buyout on the 2012 team option) in addition to prospects. However, Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle says the Astros are willing to take on a part of the salary if it yields better prospects.

If a deal were to take place, the Astros GM Ed Wade has a strong desire of getting “Young, controllable, close to the big leagues talent.”

As for Oswalt, he has no indication if he’s going anywhere.

“They told me they’d come to me first and tell me what they had on the table, and they haven’t,” Oswalt said.

“They haven’t told me anything. They said they’re working; that’s all they’ve said.”