Done deal  ?

"There is "no chance" of Roy Oswalt relieving, agent Bob Garber told MLBTR this morning.  "He will absolutely be a starter," according to the agent.

Other reports have indicated Oswalt is close to a deal with the Cardinals.  Garber would not comment on anything team-specific, but his stance about his client avoiding the bullpen implies that if the Cardinals are indeed the favorite, they'll have to trade a current starter or move one to relief.  The Cardinals' current rotation consists of Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, Kyle Lohse, Jaime Garcia, and Jake Westbrook.  There are no major physical issues with any of the five, tweets Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, although one has a minor, pre-existing condition.  Wainwright, who had Tommy John surgery in late February, is said by Strauss to be "bueno."  Lohse and Westbrook have full no-trade clauses."


"SATURDAY, 8:03am: Oswalt is likely to sign with the Cardinals "soon," reports Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston. His source cautioned that it's "not yet 100 percent," however. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that Oswalt turned down a one-year, $10MM offer from the Tigers, and that being close to his Mississippi home is a major factor in his decision"

I hope the deal is closer to the 5 million the Cardinals are said to hve offered him then the 10 million Oswalt turned down from the Tigers.

I would be really suprised if it is more then a one year deal. 

They could deal McCellan.  He is more tradable and doesnt have no trade protection.  I would guess Loshe and Westbrook would be quick to waive their no trade clause if they are headed to the pen.  I dont see why another team would find Loshe or Westbrook as a good trade unless the Cardinals eat half the contract.  I dont think the market has dried up to the point that 10 million dollar inning eaters are wanted.  VEb suggested hanging onto all pitcher untill the dealline and hope the market has changed.

They could also put Lynn back in memphis.  I like that idea the least.

Last edited by APRTW (1/28/2012 7:59 pm)

APRTW wrote:

I would be really suprised if it is more then a one year deal.

I figure if he turned down $10 million for 1 year in Detroit, it's not likely there'd be a deep discount for 1 year in St Louis. And a two or even three year contract - if the price is reasonable - could make sense given that there may be holes to fill after this season. Of course, his arm could fall off at any time, but otherwise he should be at least a decent #3 or a very good #4 in 2013 and 2014.

"Oswalt is likely to sign with the Cardinals "soon," reports Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston."

Geez, Gordon Edes wrote something that didn't happen. Go figure.

the latest:

5:14pm: The Orioles are pursuing Koji Uehara of the Rangers as well as McClellan, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  Their pursuit of a reunion with Uehara could complicate the Cards' plan to clear money to sign Oswalt.

3:47pm: The Cards appear to be interested in salary relief more than obtaining a high-end prospect for McClellan, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  The club could also move Kyle Lohse or Jake Westbrook to the bullpen.

Morosi adds that the club has discussed deals with Oswalt in the range of $7.5MM while the pitcher seeks $10MM. Moving McClellan, who makes $2.5MM, would give the Cards enough room to sign the veteran (Twitter link).

3:16pm: Even though they have interest, the Cardinals' asking price is too high for the Orioles right now, a team source tells Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (via Twitter)

2:35pm: The Cardinals are actively shopping versatile righthander Kyle McClellan, writes Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  Moving McClellan would allow the club to alleviate a logjam in their bullpen and give them the payroll flexibility to a sign a free agent starting pitcher.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals are looking to clear money in order to sign Roy Oswalt, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  It was rumored this week that St. Louis was near a deal with the veteran but Morosi stresses that there's no deal in place just yet.

General Manager John Mozeliak recently conceded that the club could possibly deal McClellan but believes it more likely that the he will be with the Cardinals when pitchers and catchers report on February 18th.  The Cardinals have attempted to engage a number of clubs in talks for McClellan and the Orioles have emerged as one of the most promising trade partners for him, according to Strauss' industry sources.

The Padres and Diamondbacks are also among the teams that have expressed interest in McClellan.

If Oswalt comes on board I dont see how Westbrook and Loshe can both stay.  I know they still need depth but that is alot of money to spend in the bullpen on a long man.  Even dumping Westbrook and picking up half his contract would be in the Cardinals best interest.

I assume they have Dickerson or whoever in triple A who can take his place.  I just dont see a point in paying Westbrook 8 million to throw once a week in a mop up role.  Of course I dont suppose I should care about DeWitt's pocketbook.  In a perfect world they would have traded McCellan and Westbrook and picked up a couple prospects.  Then turn around and sign Lidge and Oswalt.  I wouldnt have signed Skip either.  There are still outfielders on the market who are better then him.


If the Cardinals think they are so strapped for cash that they have to trade McCellan to free up enough cash to be able to offer Oswalt a few extra million I hate to think what will happen at the trade deadline if a move is needed.

Last edited by APRTW (1/29/2012 8:37 pm)

OK. Maybe an offer of 2 yrs / $11 Mill with incentives would strike a good balance.

I'm also confused with how the club has soured on McClellan. He's generally been effective - no superstar but a guy who can get lefties as well as righties out more often than not. Seems like you don't just dump him to get out from under a $2.5 Mill salary... unless there's more to that late-2011 arm-weakness thing.

Now I have to look at Rosie O'Donnell's enormous head every time I read one of your posts? That's going to be distracting.

"I dont think they soured on McCellan."

They have.  Or perhaps a more accurate way of putting it would be that those who thought highly of McClellan are no longer actively employed by the organization.  The GM apparently never thought much of McClellan in the first place.