HOUSTON -- Veteran right-hander Roy Oswalt remains one of the biggest names on the free-agent market, as the reporting date for pitchers and catchers continues to inch closer for this spring.
Oswalt has reportedly turned down offers this offseason from the Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians, since he prefers to pitch for a ballclub close to his hometown in Mississippi.
The St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers are still potential destinations.
Multiple reports indicate that Oswalt prefers the Cardinals and Rangers, but both teams currently have full starting rotations, thus making it a challenge to find a spot for the three-time All-Star.
The Houston Astros recently inquired about Oswalt.
Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow stated Wednesday that the club isn't actively looking to adjust the roster or add free agents.
Although the Astros took the liberty of checking in on Oswalt's status, the likelihood of him returning to Houston remains very slim.
"We're very active in terms of looking at transactions that are happening out there," Luhnow said. "Right now, most of the free agents have signed. Roy Oswalt is probably the last guy out there. We've got our fingers in everything. Are we actively looking to move a player or sign somebody at this point? No. We have got 61 guys coming to camp. From that group of 61, we believe we can get a real good 25-man roster to start the season."
Oswalt, 34, went 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA over 139 innings in 23 starts for the Phillies during an injury-plagued 2011 regular season.
The veteran had two stints on the DL with back issues.
Oswalt joined Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels in what was labeled a "dream team" starting rotation for the Phillies in 2011.
Philadelphia declined their part of Oswalt's $16 million mutual option for 2012 and paid him a $2 million buyout, making him a free agent.
He was acquired by Philadelphia via trade from the Astros on July 29, 2010 in exchange for starting left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ and minor league outfielder Anthony Gose and infielder Jonathan Villar.
The Astros flipped Gose to Toronto in order to acquire Brett Wallace.
Oswalt is 159-93 with a 3.21 ERA over 2,154 innings in 339 games (326 starts) throughout his 11 career major league seasons.
For the latest Astros news, click on the Subscribe button at the top of the page. Also, be sure to follow Houston Astros Examiner Stephen Goff on Facebook and Twitter, or email sgoff80@yahoo.com.
Comments