Jul

Roy Oswalt Rumors: Phillies and Astros have intesified talks about deal for Oswalt

By Allan

7/28 19:23: Jayson Stark of ESPN says the Phillies and Astros have intensified talks about a deal for Oswalt. Stark cautions that money issues could still derail the deal.

One source close to Stark says there was still a “a large gulf” between the clubs on how large a portion of the $23 million on Oswalt’s contract the Astros would be willing pay.

There are still doubts that Oswalt is willing to waive his no-trade clause to approve a trade to the Phillies.

Because of the uncertainty of the Oswalt deal, the Phillies have made contact with the Chicago Cubs about Ted Lilly and with the Cleveland Indians about Fausto Carmona and Jake Westbrook.

7/28 18:58: Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated tweets, “phillies remain favorites for oswalt. yankees checked in on roy only once. but its always hard to rule them out entirely.”

7/28 18:33: Buster Olney of ESPN tweets, “Heard this: A third team that was involved in the Phillies-Oswalt talks has backed out. Philly-Houston now dealing head to head.” Olney earlier said, “Heard this: The Phillies’ trade for Roy Oswalt that has been discussed is likely to include three or four teams — if it happens.”

7/28 11:28: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports confirms that the Reds made a call on Oswalt, but no names were exchanged.

7/28 10:36: Jimmy “The Cat” Hayes of The Team 1380 of St. Louis says (via Tim McKernan of insideSTL.com) the Cincinnati Reds are “active” in the Oswalt trade talks.

7/28 10:16: In a series of tweets, a source close to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says the Philadelphia Phillies know what the Houston Astros want for right-handed pitcher Roy Oswalt, and they can satisfy those demands without making a separate deal involving outfielder Jayson Werth.

Rosenthal adds that the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers are out of the Oswalt sweepstakes. The Phillies are divided about whether or not they want to take additional payroll and trade additional prospects.