Cardinals in running for Oswalt
Posted By Admin on February 4, 2012
The Cardinals search for pitching depth has returned them to
free agent righthander Roy Oswalt despite the clubs persistent
denials that it is actively pursuing its longtime nemesis.
The Cardinals are among a handful of teams that have extended a
short-term bid to the former Houston Astros ace, who in recent
years repeatedly has expressed a desire to play in St. Louis.
Oswalt, 34, is believed close to a decision. The Texas Rangers,
Boston Red Sox and Astros are also reported to be pursuing the
three-time All-Star, who carries a career 153-93 record and 3.21
ERA. Oswalt has been plagued by back problems that have limited him
to 43 starts the past two seasons but remained effective enough to
provide the Philadelphia Phillies with 16 wins and a 2.96 ERA in
221 2/3 innings covering 35 starts since being traded in July
2010.
Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak has played down any
pursuit of a veteran starting pitcher since the Cardinals
involvement in trade discussions including Kyle Lohse and Jake
Westbrook became known during Decembers winter meetings. Mozeliak
has suggested the club is now more inclined to add a veteran
presence to its bullpen, something Oswalts addition could
bring.
Lohse and Westbrook are entering the final installment of
multi-year deals that include full no-trade protection. Signing
Oswalt could lead to a competition among three starters for two
starting berths during spring training or possibly entice one of
the clubs incumbent starters to waive his no-trade protection.
MLB Network described the Cardinals as front-runners for Oswalt
on Friday night. Mozeliak, who traveled Friday to the West Coast,
offered no comment.
The defending World Series champions are very familiar with the
Mississippi native. Oswalt was named MVP of the 2005 NLCS in which
he twice defeated the Redbirds. Oswalt carries a misleading 10-9
career record against the Cardinals built with a 3.19 ERA.
The Cardinals extended a bid of about $5 million to Oswalt
earlier this month, according to sources familiar with the
situation, but apparently failed to match the Rangers bid, which
also included numerous appearance incentives.
The Cardinals abundance of righthanded relievers has made Kyle
McClellan a potential trade candidate after he divided last season
between the rotation and set-up relief. McClellan recently avoided
arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.5 million contract.
Lohse is due $11.9 million this season while Westbrook is
scheduled to earn $8.5 million plus a $1 million buyout should the
Cardinals decline an $8.5 million option for 2013.
As recently as this months Winter Warm-Up, Mozeliak distanced
himself from a pursuit of Oswalt. However, the Cardinals apparently
made their bid for Oswalt after last months signing of outfielder
Carlos Beltran to a two-year, $26 million contract.
The Cardinals allowed free agent reliever Brad Lidge to sign a
discounted one-year, $1 million deal with the Washington Nationals
though the former Astros and Phillies closer appeared to neatly fit
their description of a veteran with experience closing who could
offer both late-inning support and a positive clubhouse presence.
Bypassing such an opportunity suggested the club was probably
engaged elsewhere.
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