Red Sox Rumors: Roy Oswalt’s Services of Interest to Boston & Philly
With both the Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies facing question marks on their starting pitching, it comes as no surprise that both clubs are said to be once again interested in the services of Roy Oswalt. Yes, here we are once again talking about the savvy veteran and trying to decipher where he will sign.
According to Ken Rosenthal via Twitter, Oswalt threw a bullpen session for both the Red Sox and Phillies over the past two weeks and is expected to return to the majors in roughly a month’s time, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Not surprising that the Phillies are back in on the Oswalt sweepstakes given their last place position in the division and most importantly a recent injury to Vance Worley.
Rosenthal reports that the Detroit Tigers and Yankees are not in the mix for Oswalt, at least not at this time.
Financial terms have not yet been thrown around as to what Oswalt is looking for but suffice to say if the Yankees gave Andy Pettitte a guaranteed $2.5M for this season, Oswalt’s services could become a bidding war between the two aforementioned clubs. Both have deep pockets and
have showed in the past that a necessary signing mid-way through the season won’t be dismissed over money.
Both clubs are under achieving to this point in the season so it’s no surprise that they may want and need Oswalt. The Phillies have five in a row and with Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, Joe Blanton and Cliff Lee all taking their turn on the mound, the Phils would appear to be the least desperate for Oswalt.
Two weeks ago you could have said the Red Sox were desperate to sign the former NLCS MVP, but with recent improved performances by all five starters, it’s hard to say where Oswalt would fit in Boston. With the bullpen getting more mound time than expected, a fresh arm like Bard or Doubront back there in June could be enough to salvage at least a push for the postseason.
We all know the Red Sox pitching situation and talk will surely rise about sending Bard to the bullpen if Oswalt inks in Beantown. The club has won six of their last seven and if their fine play continues it’s difficult to say the club absolutely needs Oswalt.
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