Climbing Tal's Hill » Free Agent Market

Roy Oswalt probably wishes he’d never asked out of Houston

Greg Thurston — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:49:22 +0000

I can’t help but wonder what Roy Oswalt must be thinking right about now. The veteran right-hander is probably sitting by the phone waiting for his agent to call and wondering what might have been.

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What if Oswalt hadn’t asked the Astros for a trade back in May of 2010? Would things have worked out better for the Wizard? I think so. As it stands now, Oswalt is without a job only five days before the start of Spring Training. The Phillies decided not to renew Roy’s contract and the Free Agent market has been moving at a snail’s pace this winter.

It has been reported that Oswalt wants to pitch close to home and has turned down an offer from the Detroit Tigers. The Rangers and Cardinals are said to be Roy’s preferred employers. Unfortunately for him, both of those teams already have a full compliment of starting pitchers. If Roy wants to pitch this season he will probably have to expand his list of acceptable destinations. It has been reported that the Boston Red Sox are interested in Oswalt, who will more than likely be limited to a one-year deal because of his recent back injury.

The Astros have also been linked to the Wizard this winter, but I doubt that the new regime would be willing to pay Roy’s asking price. Oswalt made $16 million last year and is said to be seeking in the neighborhood of $10 million for 2012.

Oswalt became discouraged in 2010 when the Astros got of to a horrible start and failed to provide him any run support. After going 2-6 in his first nine starts of the season, despite a 2.66 ERA, Oswalt asked to be traded to a contender. Oswalt eventually got his wish when he was dealt to Philadelphia on July 29th for J.A. Happ and minor leaguers Jonathan Villar and Anthony Gose. Oswalt and the Phillies made back-to-back playoff appearances but were unable to secure a championship.

2012 Free Agent Market; What’s taking so long?

Greg Thurston — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:16:34 +0000

Is it just me or is this year’s Free Agent market moving at a snail’s pace? Sure, there was a flurry of activity during the Winter Meetings but since then it has been like watching grass grow. The Marlins made a big splash early by signing Heath Bell, Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle to long-term deals. The Angels also went big at the outset, inking Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson. But the way the market is playing out it is starting to appear that those two teams may have overpaid.

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Recapping a November to remember

Greg Thurston — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:59:05 +0000

This November was quite an eventful month for Astros fans. In case you’ve been busy and missed some of the big stories, here’s a recap. Early in the month the Astros made a number of ho-hum signings of minor league Free Agents. That list includes RHP Adalberto Flores, outfielders Travis Buck, Nick Stavinoha, & Brad Snyder, 1B/3B Scott Moore, and my personal favorite utility man Joe (my brother from another mother) Thurston.

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