Comments on: UPDATE: No deal yet between Cardinals and Roy Oswalt

By: proudlycanadian

proudlycanadian — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:32:49 +0000

He apparently wants to pitch for a team close to his home.

By: dwrek5

dwrek5 — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:21:42 +0000

True, but it is interesting he wouldn’t want to pitch in Detroit. Yes defense is a question, but they will be competitive, nice park to pitch in, veteran manager… doesn’t seem like the worst place in the world to pitch this season.

By: dwrek5

dwrek5 — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:19:05 +0000

I think what he is trying to say, or at least what I am going to say is, as you know every team will need at least 6 starters this year. The challenge will be to find a way to hold onto all 3 until that need arises.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:51:46 +0000

Kudos to Roy (and any other player) that realizes that once you have all the money you will ever need (likely hundreds of times more than that), you don’t have to chase the highest contract anymore…rather, you can do the things you want to do…including, playing where you want to play.

By: proudlycanadian

proudlycanadian — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:03:38 +0000

According to Heyman, he turned down a $10 million 1 year deal with the Tigers. The gentleman is being very picky with regard to which team he plays for.

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:18:23 +0000

Not to sound greedy, but if they have another mil or so, I wouldn’t mind seeing them offer Brandon Webb a Minor League deal.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:51:40 +0000

If Oswalt’s is healthy, he is clearly the #4. He was still a very good pitcher last year. It isn’t like he has had long-term back issues to date; from 2004 to 2010 he made at least 30 starts/year and threw over 200 innings all but one year. Lohse is clearly #5. When healthy (2008 and 2011), he has been a fine starter…the forearm injury from being hit by a pitch in 2009 screwed him up that year and for 2010….back healthy last year, he pitched better than Westbrook has ever pitched.

By: Charles Gates

Charles Gates — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:54:36 +0000

As in the Cardinals management does not get along with, and has a predisposition towards, the playoff race? That race, right?

By: uberdepressedbrownsredsfan

uberdepressedbrownsredsfan — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:03:20 +0000

Don’t think Roy is close to what he was but that being said he is a hell of a #4 starter…….damnit

By: leftywildcat

leftywildcat — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:52:52 +0000

Maybe, just maybe, RAJ the Ninja is just letting him test the market as he did earlier with JRoll? I sure hope so.

By: stlfan

stlfan — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:18:46 +0000

Good move. I wouldn’t label Westbrook, Loshe or Oswalt in any particular “starter” order, as I don’t think any of the three are year-long starters. I think the could, and should, be willing to split time as starters and bullpen. This is where Dave Duncan will be missed….

By: joshh212

joshh212 — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:49:40 +0000

I mean, i have read some misguided, clueless statements in my life, but this might just take the cake.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:29:55 +0000

I guess if true the Red Sox if they intend to sign a known starter are down to just 2 names that they have been linked to over the past few days or weeks (Gavin Floyd or Edwin Jackson).

Gavin Floyd, if they are able to wrestle him away from the White Sox will cost them prospects and $7MM in payroll (but only $3,875MM as charged by MLB AAV against the Luxury Tax Threshold). Assuming the Red Sox do NOT pick up the $9MM team option. IF they do pick up the option the charge against their Luxury Tax number will be $4.9MM not $3.875.

Edwin Jackson on the other hand as a free agent will NOT cost the Red Sox any prospects. But on a 1 year deal should Jackson/Boras accept a 1 year deal would probably cost about $10MM +/- (in my opinion).

There are advantages and disadvantages to either or pitcher. The Red Sox could always choose to stand pat and go to spring training with what they have. But that might be risky.

Getting back to Oswalt and the Cardinals. I think it’s a good move for the Cardinals, they would be getting a very good pitcher baring any back issues cropping up at more than a reasonable cost.

By: cptnew1

cptnew1 — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:06:34 +0000

I was going to go on a rant to this comment, not worth the effort. Chelsea, grow up.

By: muckthefets23

muckthefets23 — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:33:33 +0000

Weren’t people muttering not too long ago that with Pujols out of the picture and Prince out also that the Reds were just gonna run away with that division?? It doesn’t look that way from where I’m standing.

By: paperlions

paperlions — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:18:02 +0000

Sweet.

By: muckthefets23

muckthefets23 — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:17:27 +0000

Looks like you got your wish spud, Roy is still a hell of a pitcher when healthy.

By: spudchukar

spudchukar — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:37:30 +0000

Wow! My prayers are almost answered. If this comes to fruition my compliments to the management. And it has been awhile since I have said that.

By: craigsimsrules

craigsimsrules — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:19:42 +0000

Nothing wrong with having oswalt as your number 4 starter. And letting westbrook and lohse fight for the number 5 spot. While oswalt’s best days are way behind him, he is still better than what we have at that spot in the rotation. I applaud the cards for making a move like this.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:18:35 +0000

So the Astro’s are the mystery team in this deal. Who would have thought it.

A little surprised that the Cardinals appear to be in the lead. Thought the Rangers would have the inside track.

By: salvomania

salvomania — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:11:15 +0000

Westbrook was already under contract for 2012—Jackson wasn’t—so the Cardinals can’t “turn Westbrook loose.”

They COULD sign Jackson for $10M a year for several years, or sign Oswalt for $5-$7M + incentives for one year. Tough choice….

By: chelsea0611

chelsea0611 — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:04:20 +0000

So we turn Jackson lose to get Oswalt but we keep Westbrook? Something just isnt right. Im think Cardinals management is racist.

By: dpvaughn

dpvaughn — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:02:17 +0000

While I myself am not a huge fan of Westbrook, we as Cardinals fans have to give him credit. With Game 6 getting all wrapped up in Freese’s heroics, most people don’t remember Westbrook coming in and shutting the door on the Rangers and getting the win in that crucial game.

By: Ari Collins

Ari Collins — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:53:56 +0000

Usually “close” means no one else is “in the mix.” How close can it be if he’s still considering offers from multiple teams? Weird report.

By: ultimatecardinalwarrior

ultimatecardinalwarrior — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:49:25 +0000

Anything so that Westbrook doesn’t have to pitch. He will probably waive his no-trade clause if he gets shifted to the bullpen.

By: phillieschamps2012

phillieschamps2012 — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:43:10 +0000

Roy Oswalt, traitor!