For a good portion of the decade, Roy Oswalt has been the one constant on the Astros' pitching staff. You could rely on Oswalt for 15-20 wins each season and know he'd put in his best performance every time he pitched. But it may well be time to trade him away, not during the season but during the winter months.
Let me begin by saying that, the Astros have various reasons to show appreciation to the young pitcher from Wier, MS. Without him, the Astros would not have made two playoffs and one World Series. He's been a reliable guy and a fierce competitor. If the Astros looked like a squad able to contend in the next few seasons, I'd intend to keep him around.
But the reality is that the Astros are going to need to strip themselves down a bit before they can advance. Since 2007, they have relentlessly tried to attain another title by putting more experienced lineups on the field and it visibly hasn't paid off.
entering next baseball season, the Astros will have to disburse three significant salaries, all with no-trade clauses. Two of the contracts, Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee, reveal no sign they would authorize a trade. Oswalt dances around the question but it seems obvious he would go somewhere that could put a championship ring on his hand and blend with his routine.
It's been a trying year for Roy who is not accustomed to being this deep into the season and still be fixed on seven victories. He's in a position of not getting ten victories for the first time in his big league existence. He hasn't been honored by much run support and, when he has, something has habitually prevented him from getting the victory, whether it be a trivial injury, some bloopers behind him or a relief pitching meltdown.
You don't really need to ponder much when he proclaims he "didn't come here to be on a run of the mill team" and said, after his most recent defeat in St. Louis, that the players are "simply going through the motions" to know he's not content playing here.
So, where else might Oswalt go? I think Oswalt would desire to play in the South or the Midwest. Teams like the Diamondbacks, Kansas City and the Twins don't have the money to take Roy's agreement. Likewise, Florida and Tampa Bay would be worthy fits except the franchises don't have the cash.
Until a short time ago, the thought of dealing Oswalt would have been met with immediate opposition but it seems clear Roy doesn't want to stay through a reconstruction run (if there is one) and he won't be pleased about being an Astro if Cooper is still the skipper. Dealing away his salary brings relief and elasticity to Houston's salary cap which might make them a bit more daring to offer mediation to players who will bring draft choices our way if they commit elsewhere.
Let me begin by saying that, the Astros have various reasons to show appreciation to the young pitcher from Wier, MS. Without him, the Astros would not have made two playoffs and one World Series. He's been a reliable guy and a fierce competitor. If the Astros looked like a squad able to contend in the next few seasons, I'd intend to keep him around.
But the reality is that the Astros are going to need to strip themselves down a bit before they can advance. Since 2007, they have relentlessly tried to attain another title by putting more experienced lineups on the field and it visibly hasn't paid off.
entering next baseball season, the Astros will have to disburse three significant salaries, all with no-trade clauses. Two of the contracts, Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee, reveal no sign they would authorize a trade. Oswalt dances around the question but it seems obvious he would go somewhere that could put a championship ring on his hand and blend with his routine.
It's been a trying year for Roy who is not accustomed to being this deep into the season and still be fixed on seven victories. He's in a position of not getting ten victories for the first time in his big league existence. He hasn't been honored by much run support and, when he has, something has habitually prevented him from getting the victory, whether it be a trivial injury, some bloopers behind him or a relief pitching meltdown.
You don't really need to ponder much when he proclaims he "didn't come here to be on a run of the mill team" and said, after his most recent defeat in St. Louis, that the players are "simply going through the motions" to know he's not content playing here.
So, where else might Oswalt go? I think Oswalt would desire to play in the South or the Midwest. Teams like the Diamondbacks, Kansas City and the Twins don't have the money to take Roy's agreement. Likewise, Florida and Tampa Bay would be worthy fits except the franchises don't have the cash.
Until a short time ago, the thought of dealing Oswalt would have been met with immediate opposition but it seems clear Roy doesn't want to stay through a reconstruction run (if there is one) and he won't be pleased about being an Astro if Cooper is still the skipper. Dealing away his salary brings relief and elasticity to Houston's salary cap which might make them a bit more daring to offer mediation to players who will bring draft choices our way if they commit elsewhere.
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