Video: Reuben Amaro Talks About The Roy Oswalt Deal

Oswalt Reacts To Phillies Trade

Seems like Brad Lidge actually did something to help…

“It’s exciting for sure,” Oswalt told MLB.com. “I think it works out for both of us. Houston’s getting good prospects and another pitcher, and I’m getting to go to a great team. I’m happy for both sides. From the very beginning, I said I wouldn’t accept it unless it worked out for both of us, and I think it worked out.”

“I think probably the toughest part was packing up my locker, for sure, knowing I started here and have to leave now,” Oswalt said. “Just like I said, it’s going to be good for the organization, and I think it will be good for me, too. The organization has been great to me, and I hope they get back in it and get back to the playoffs real soon.”

“You’ve pretty much got an All-Star at every position,” Oswalt said. “They have a real good team as far as a union. I talked to Brad Lidge last night about the clubhouse and he likes it a lot up there with guys like Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino and some other great guys. Overall, it came down to Houston getting something for me and I was getting to go to a contender.”

Good Phight Gives Amaro Props

Our pals over at The Good Phight are excited about what seems like a very good deal for the Phillies.

If that sounds like a good deal for the Phillies, that’s because it is. J.A. Happ is a nice pitcher, Gose has tremendous potential, and Villar is emerging as an intriguing infield prospect, but the Phillies really just got an ace-quality starting pitcher to slot behind Roy Halladay in the rotation, at a huge discount, through 2011.

Is this a Cliff Lee like(getting him, not giving him up) caliber deal for Reuben Amaro? He was generally seen to have pulled a coup in that trade with the Indians. He paid a major price in terms of prospects for Halladay, but this move for Oswalt seems much closer to the job he did on the Lee deal. The Phillies kept all of their top prospects & get Oswalt on the cheap for a year and a half at least. It’s a bummer to give up Happ, but he was traded for a true ace here. He’ll never be that good.

Since 2001, Oswalt leads the NL in wins and strikeouts. He’s 2nd in IP and 5th in ERA over that period.

Oswalt Accepts Trade To Phillies

ESPN is reporting that Roy Oswalt has officially accepted his trade to Philadelphia and has therefore waived his no trade clause.

Reports are that the Astros will pick up $11 of the $23 million that Oswalt is owed through 2011. The deal also alters Oswalt’s option year.

Oswalt did not demand that his 2012 mutual option for $16 million be picked up by the Phillies, a baseball source told ESPN.com’s Amy K. Nelson. Instead, if either he or the Phillies chose not to pick it up, his $1 million buyout will increase to $2 million. If Oswalt or the Phillies decline to exercise the option, then the pitcher will make $18 million next season. But both Oswalt and the Phillies must agree on the option for 2012 for him to stay with the team that season, the source told Nelson.

Philly.com reports that in return the Phillies will send P JA Happ, single A outfielder Anthony Gose, & low A IF Jonathon Villar.

Oswalt Deal Likely To Be Pitching Heavy

David Murphy reports that in addition to JA Happ, the Phillies will send a package of pitching prospect to Houston for their ace Roy Oswalt.

The Phillies have talent at the lower levels of the minors and the Astros have scouted Lakewood, including a visit from Wade himself. The package figures to be heavy on pitching, rather than position players. Speculation has that Vance Worley, who was with the Phillies over the weekend and started at Triple A Tuesday night, could be included.

Pending Oswalt Approval, Roy Is Headed To Philly

Per Fox Sports

FOX 26, citing major-league sources, reported the clubs have agreed on the trade and now it’s up to Oswalt to waive his no-trade clause. The Astros approached Oswalt (6-12, 3.42 ERA, 120 strikeouts in 129 innings) and were awaiting his reply Wednesday night, FOX 26 said.

Phillies Trade Rumors: Phils Interested In Nationals IF Christian Guzman?

Fox Sports baseball writer Jon Morosi is reporting that the Phillies have interest in National's Christian Guzman.

Guzman can play multiple positions having spent time at 2b, SS, and RF this year. He's also certainly more capable at the plate than the likes of Wilson Valdez.

Phillies Trade Rumors: Werth Appears To Be Staying Put

In Jayson Stark’s latest column, he not only quotes Werth as saying he thinks he won’t be traded but also officials from teams who have talked to the Phlllies about trading for the RF.

“They’re 2½ [games] out of the wild card,” said one of those officials. “I don’t see them selling Werth unless they’re overwhelmed by a [win-now] major league piece.”

“I really don’t think [Phillies GM] Ruben [Amaro] can get what he wants for him,” said the other official. “I don’t think he can get the right pitcher. I don’t think he can get the right pitcher/hitter combo. And at this point, he’s not going to take prospects. So I think [Werth] is going to stay right where he is and finish out the year.”

Phillies Trade Rumors: Werth Appears To Be Staying Put

In Jayson Stark’s latest column, he not only quotes Werth as saying he thinks he won’t be traded but also officials from teams who have talked to the Phlllies about trading for the RF.

“They’re 2½ [games] out of the wild card,” said one of those officials. “I don’t see them selling Werth unless they’re overwhelmed by a [win-now] major league piece.”

“I really don’t think [Phillies GM] Ruben [Amaro] can get what he wants for him,” said the other official. “I don’t think he can get the right pitcher. I don’t think he can get the right pitcher/hitter combo. And at this point, he’s not going to take prospects. So I think [Werth] is going to stay right where he is and finish out the year.”

Phillies Trade Rumors: Roy Oswalt Says That Location Doesn't Matter

Contrary to an earlier report that said Roy Oswalt wouldn’t play in NYC or Philadelphia and that he wanted to go to St Louis, the man himself now says that the location isn’t an issue.

Oswalt, who has been the center of trade speculation since he asked for a trade two months ago, reiterated Monday the stance he’s had since May in that he’d be willing to play in any region of the country – East Coast and West Coast included – if it meant he’d be in a pennant race.

“Location doesn’t matter,” he said.

He also hinted at some flexibility with the $16 million team option for 2012 that’s turned several teams off.

"We can work on doing different things as far as restructuring (the option)," Oswalt said.

Oswalt Deal Dead?

According to Fox Sports, Roy Oswalt doesn’t want to be traded to the Phillies. Considering he has a no trade clause, that’s a dealbreaker.

Oswalt does not want to go to the Phillies in a trade, a source with direct knowledge of his thinking said Monday.

The Cardinals, meanwhile, do not feel confident in their ability to land Oswalt, another source said the previous day.

“I’d be surprised if Oswalt goes (anywhere),” an AL executive said. “It sounds like both he and the Astros are difficult.”

Are The Tigers Interested In Werth?

Buster Olney reports that the Tigers sent scouts to see Jayson Werth over this past weekend.

Phillies Interested In Marlins' Cody Ross?

The Florida Sun-Sentinel is reporting that the Phillies have checked in with the Marlins on the availability of outfielder Cody Ross.

The Braves aren't the only club interested in Ross as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline nears. According to a source that has spoken with the Marlins, Ross has come up in discussions with the Red Sox, Phillies, Dodgers and Yankees.

Ross would likely slot in as Jayson Werth's replacement in right field if/when he's moved, which could allow for Domonic Brown to  possibly move to left to replace Ibanez in a full time role next season. Ross has played all the outfield positions, so he could likely move to left as well. As MLBTR points out, Ross is signed through next season.

The 29-year-old has split his time between center and right, posting a solid .274/.326/.400 line with seven homers. He makes $4.45MM and won't qualify for free agency until after 2011, so he's more than a rental. Ross has $1.8MM remaining on his salary, but that's less than what many available outfielders will make.

Cody Ross

#12 / Center Field / Florida Marlins

Height: 5-10

Weight: 195

Bats: R

Throws: L

Born: Dec 23, 1980

ESPN: Oswalt Would Prefer Deal To Cardinals

The Cardinals not only beat the Phillies in three of their latest four game series, they may also beat them to ace Roy Oswalt if the pitcher gets his way. According to ESPN, Oswalt would prefer a move to St Louis.

But much to the Phillies’ chagrin, two people who know Oswalt well said he prefers to land in St. Louis.

Sources who have spoken with the Astros say that while St. Louis might be Oswalt’s first choice, trading their best pitcher within the division isn’t the team’s first choice. The Astros continued to talk to the Phillies, and have tried to lure other clubs into the bidding.

Trading one of your franchises’ all time best arms to a division rival? Who would do that?

Either way, according to NBC sports the Cardinals are the “frontrunner” as of right now.

A major league source tells me that, contrary to what we’ve all been hearing for the past several days, the Phillies are not the front runners for Roy Oswalt. The St. Louis Cardinals are.

Oswalt's Contract Demands May Scupper Deal To Phils

According to reports out of Houston, Roy Oswalt’s demand for the Phillies to guarantee his $16 million 2012 option could cool the team’s interest in the pitcher.

Online reports Wednesday pointed to negotiations between the Phillies and Astros for a trade involving Oswalt and possibly one other team stalling because of a demand by Oswalt that any suitor pick up his option for 2012, at a cost of $16 million.

They story points out that any such demand would make it hard to deal Oswalt.

Still, industry analysts appear of the consensus that requiring the hefty option be picked up could effectively kill any chance for Oswalt to return to the playoffs in a uniform other than the Astros this season.

Reuben May Be Playing Hardball On Werth Trade

According to MLBTR, Reuben Amaro is making some major demands from the Tampa Bay Rays in negotiations for Jayson Werth.

The Phillies are talking to a number of teams about Jayson Werth, but are demanding a lot in return. They asked the Rays for B.J. Upton or Wade Davis, and GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is not willing to take on any of the $2.8MM remaining on Werth’s deal.

Remember that for a team like the Rays, Werth is simply a half year rental and he has struggled this year…

Oswalt Noncommital On Possible Phillies Move

Astros ace Roy Oswalt spoke with the Houston Chronicle today and was asked about the rumors about a possible deal involving him going to the Phillies. He took the Sgt Schultz approach.

“I don’t know anything about it,” Oswalt said before Wednesday’s series finale against the Cubs. “Saw it on TV this morning.”

Oswalt didn’t flat out say he’d come to Philadelphia, but he didn’t refuse either.

“It’d have to work for both of us,” Oswalt said. “If it doesn’t work for both of us, no, but if it does, maybe. I’ll just wait until they come up to me.”

Latest On Phillies, Oswalt

There isn’t huge amounts of new news to report on the Roy Oswalt/Jayson Werth trade front, but there are a few tidbits.

First, Buster Olney says the move is more about 2011.

Olney suggests the Phillies acquiring Roy Oswalt and trading Jayson Werth would in large part be about positioning the team for 2011. Oswalt would still be under contract next year, while Domonic Brown would get big league seasoning.

SI.com points out that interestingly enough Roy Oswalt’s next scheduled start is Saturday, which is precisely when the Phils need a starting pitcher.

The Houston Chronicle’s Bernardo Fallas spoke with Oswalt, who said that the team had not yet approached him about waiving his no-trade clause, but he would consider Philadelphia.

Report: Astros Close To Asking Roy Oswalt To Approve Trade To Phillies

AOL's Ed Price has a source that tells him that the Astros "may be close to putting the ball in [Oswalt's] court" in regards to a trade to Phillies. Oswalt has a full no trade clause and therefore would have to approve any move.

Oswalt is signed through 2012, but would carry a major price tag in terms of dollars.

Many teams have downplayed the possibility Oswalt would get traded at all, because he is owed more than $7 million for the rest of this year and $16 million next year, in addition to either a $16-million option or $2-million buyout for 2012.

Stark: Possible Three-Way Trade Involving Werth In The Works

According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, we may very well have seen the last of Jayson Werth tonight.

Indications Phillies are working on major deal for starting pitcher & would move Jayson Werth in a companion trade. More to come on espn.com

[Update by JasonB, 07/20/10 10:51 PM EDT ] Could it be Roy Oswalt coming the other way?

Follow-up on Phillies tweet: Phillies have talked about lots of starters. But hearing they've spent a lot of time exploring an Oswalt deal.

[Note by JasonB, 07/20/10 10:58 PM EDT ] Stark has posted a full run down of everything he's heard on ESPN.com. Check out the full article, but here are the main points.

- Another team has told Stark that the Phillies have stepped up their efforts trade Werth in the past week.

- The Phillies have focused on top-of-the-rotation starters and are only looking for a pitcher they can control beyond this year.

- Indications are that the team has spent recent days exploring a trade for Astros Ace Roy Oswalt.

Amaro Hints That Phillies Trade For A Pitcher Imminent

Multiple Phillies beat writers are reporting that GM Ruben Amaro hinted that the Phillies will soon make a move for a pitcher. It may even be soon enough for the new pitcher to make the start that Kyle Kendrick was supposed to make this Saturday.

Matt Gelb

Amaro insinuates a trade for a pitcher is coming.

Todd Zolecki

Amaro hints Saturday's starter, who replaces Kyle Kendrick, will come in a trade. Said Happ is a candidate, too. Carpenter is long man.

Ryan Lawrence

Ruben briefed reporters, said SAT start could cone from someone outside organization. Says team remains buyer but would still consider trading off 25-man roster. "If players were playing better than I wouldn't be considering moving them," Amaro said.

Phillies Scouting Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Sun is reporting that Phillies scout Charlie Kerfeld has been scouting the Blue Jays for two straight series.

The Phillies need bullpen help as well. Kerfeld watched the Jays’ three-game series in Baltimore and came to K.C. The last time a scout followed the Jays to successive cities was Atlanta Braves’ Jim Fregosi, who picked up the Jays in Philadelphia and followed them to Cleveland. And last Thursday, the Braves sent shortstop Yunel Escobar to the Jays for Alex Gonzalez.

The speculation is that the Phillies are looking at Jay’s arms Scott Downs, Kevin Gregg, or Jason Frasor.

Rosenthal Speculates On A Werth For Vazquez Swap

Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal(via MLBTR) talked about the possibility of the Phillies trading Jayson Werth.

The Phillies, at the moment, are not playing well enough to make a run at Roy Oswalt. However, they don’t expect to fall far enough out of contention to sell. Jayson Werth, Rosenthal says, could be moved in order to improve the team in the short-term and long-term. A Werth-for-Javier Vazquez swap could make sense if the Yankees could acquire another starting pitcher. Cliff Lee, in theory, would have been that guy.

Considering that Vazquez is also in the final year of his contract it’s hard to see how this deal would make any sense for the Phillies. Vazquez, who’s been average at best this year, wouldn’t provide as much value to the Phillies as Werth would for the stretch run… so what would be the point if both are going to walk at the end of the year anyway? I would think that any deal for Werth would have to include near MLB ready prospects coming in return.

Phillies Reportedly Scouted A's Ben Sheets

The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that Phillies have taken a look at A’s starter Ben Sheets.

Tonight’s starter, Ben Sheets, remains a potential target for Philadelphia and Minnesota, among others, and Detroit was checking out reliever Michael Wuertz in Kansas City this weekend and in Oakland earlier this month. Craig Breslow is on Detroit’s radar, too, but like Wuertz last year, Breslow would be extremely difficult to pry away.

The righty has 4.63 ERA and 1.39 WHIP this year.

Will The Phillies Be Buyers Or Sellers At MLB Trade Deadline?

With the MLB trade deadline less than two weeks away, we're opening up this stream to keep track of all the Phillies related news and rumors... So far, it seems like there will be three major storylines to watch.

First, it's the never-ending search for pitching. The Phils could use a starter and a reliever but then again so can virtually every team in baseball.

Second is the infield. With Chase Utley still well over a month away from returning, the Phillies could be looking to bolster their infield with a second or third baseman(which would see Placido Polanco shift to 2nd). There's been a lot of rumors about the Phillies kicking the tires on utility man Ty Wigginton, but those talks seem to have cooled.

Finally, the one no Phillies fan wants to discuss is what the team will do with Jayson Werth. He is in the final year of his contract and if the Phillies have no plans to re-sign him the wise thing might be to move him now for the best deal they can get. That way they'd avoid losing him for nothing. However, if the Phillies still see themselves as a legit contender this year, they may think it's worth losing Werth for nothing if he helps them make a run at another World Series. The way the Phillies play over the next two weeks could go a long way in determining Werth's future.