According to an ESPN report just released, Roy “Oswalt, 34, has told teams that he plans to keep throwing, stay ready and would be willing to return during the season if nothing materializes before then. That approach would mirror what Clemens did in 2006 and 2007, when he returned in June to pitch for the Houston Astros and then the New York Yankees.”
I feel it is my duty to remind all of you that I posed this same question/theory/possibility during the UCB Roundtable discussion on February 7th. For those of you not privy to the inner sanctum of the UCB Roundtable, I said: “But I have to wonder…with Oswalt’s salary and rotation demands…and with the Cards’ need to reinforce Waino/Carp late in the season…could Oswalt be open to the Roger Clemens’ treatment of signing a pro-rated, half season deal to come on board in July with the Cardinals….?”
Today has been interesting, to say the least, in regards to Oswalt rumors. It started last night and this morning when multiple outlets reported Oswalt’s agent announcing a pending announcement to be announced sometime on Thursday. Sheesh. I hate it when guys do that. Just make the announcement already.
Unless…you’re trying to work a last minute deal using creative negotiating strategy.
The next report came from Jon Heyman this morning who swore Roy Oswalt is “NOT” going to the Rangers or Red Sox. Of course, those of us following the story knew that meant it was down to the Phillies, the Cardinals, or some Mystery Team to be named later (if the Reds were to be believed when Jocketty said Oswalt to the Reds wasn’t even being considered).
Cue Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post Dispatch who tweeted that a close friend of Roy-O’s “wouldn’t be surprised” if Oswalt accepted the Cardinals’ terms. Less than an hour later, John Mozeliak (GM of the Cardinals) began making the local media circuit and said, in no uncertain terms, “Roy Oswalt is not going to be a Cardinal.”
Now, for those of you keeping score, that’s 4 “Nots,” 1 “Still in it,” and 1 “Potential Mystery Team.” And then the ESPN report broke suggesting Oswalt may just wait it out and sign mid-season when someone’s starting pitcher goes down.
I have to say…it seems as if Oswalt’s agent was attempting to make one final stab at getting a team to bite before simply sitting back and waiting for an injury. But this could be excellent news for the Cardinals…perhaps the MOST likely rotation in the bunch to experience an early season injury to their starting five. If Carp, Waino, Garcia, Lohse, or Westbrook goes down long term…could Mo step in and sign Oswalt to fill the gap?
It’s almost like Roy Oswalt is pitching in Florida for “extended Spring Training” for the Cardinals.
Unless, that is…his announcement about a pending announcement later today actually takes place and he announces his intent to sign with another team.
GO CARDS!!!!
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