Now that Roy Oswalt has cleared waivers and can be traded by the Texas Rangers, MLB Rumors has the Cincinnati Reds being mentioned as a team that may be interested in his services. They are not a main mention – that would be the Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals - but the Reds are in the rumor mill with those teams.
While it is true that the Reds are open to picking up starting pitching, few teams in contention aren’t, but they need to be very selective as to whom they should deal. To be blunt here, Oswalt isn’t worth the risk for the Reds.
Oswalt has struggled mightily for the Rangers this season. So much so that he lost his starting spot recently, so it comes as no surprise that they are looking to deal him. He clearly isn’t the same pitcher as he once was and at 35 and will not be anytime soon or in the future. He has had problems with the hitter friendly confines in Texas giving up 8 homeruns. Imagine him in Great American Ball Park. He’d have twice that number in Cincinnati.
Now if the MLB Rumors are true that the Reds are interested, and I’m not shocked that they are with Mike Leake and Homer Bailey as young and inconsistent as they are, it just doesn’t make sense to give up something of value, disrupt the applecart for someone of Oswalt’s talent now.
So, if I’m the Reds GM Walt Jocketty, I’m answering the phone when the Rangers call and I’m listening; however, I’m not taking the conversation too seriously. It may be too good to pass up. If it is not, politely hang up the phone and look somewhere else or hope for the best with what you have now.
Stay tuned to MLB Rumors at RantSports for more developments.
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