Yesterday we heard that Oswalt had thrown a bullpen session for the Phillies and worked out for the Red Sox. Given both clubs last place position in their divisions it was no surprise to hear both are interested in Oswalt; the Red Sox have been interested since November.
The latest on Oswalt, courtesy of Ken Rosenthal via Twitter has the Texas Rangers now watching the veteran right-hander when he threw a bullpen session near his Mississippi home yesterday. Oswalt said he wants to sign with a contender and the Rangers are likely the odds on favorite at this point in the season to win it all. The problem lies in that Texas doesn’t need Oswalt to start and that is the only option for Roy. Texas already has Scott Feldman and Alexi Ogando in the bullpen and are said to be extra starters should the club need them. Throwing Oswalt into the mix would really complicate matters.
The Rangers now become the third known team to be interested in Oswalt, joining the Phillies and Red Sox. Rosenthal reported yesterday that outside of Boston and Philly there were at least two teams who were said to be engrossed in having Oswalt join their club and amid speculation, the LA Angels have not had anyone watch the former NLCS MVP…..yet.
Scott Miller of CBSSports.com said he was told that Oswalt has received a couple of “very nice offers” from more than one team although it was not disclosed as to which clubs have formally presented an offer. Oswalt’s plan is to pitch by June and with him needing roughly a month to get into game shape, it’s widely expected that he will sign with a team in the coming weeks.
The Red Sox situation with Oswalt became a little more intriguing with Daniel Bard‘s inconsistent outing Friday night in Philadelphia where he walked 5 batters and imploded to a 4-run first inning. An inning that eventually cost the Sox the game. Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe wrote this morning that the Bard transition isn’t working and that he should be put back in the bullpen so he can re-establish his fastball. Many Sox fans have been pleading for this move all season long and if Boston can convince Oswalt to sign in Beantown, a Bard transition back to the pen where he’s had an overwhelming amount of success only seems natural.
The difficult part in all this won’t be informing Bard of the decision but rather convincing Oswalt to sign with the Red Sox. Not only does he want to pitch close to his Mississippi home, but he wants to pitch for a contender. Two things that could go against the Sox when he decides where to sign. I’m not saying the Sox aren’t a contender, but if Texas makes room for him how do you not go there? Or even St. Louis for that matter, if they become interested late in the sweepstakes.
Just another day on the Oswalt rumors and as always, we’ll keep you posted.
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