I left the Rocket off because he's not coming to Chicago.

Give Houston anything you have to, just get Roy Oswalt in the Starting Rotation tomorrow.

Give Houston anything you have to, just get Roy Oswalt in the Starting Rotation tomorrow.

 

What he said.

Oswalt is the best of those up there, I think, and we're the best fit with Houston in terms of what they might want.

 

Anderson, Sweeney, Fields, BMac, take your pick. Send them all packing if you have to. We want a championship, not prospects.

Sounds great in theory. Hell I'd love Oswalt on the Southside...heres what I know though:

 

Signed 2 year, $16.9 million contract for 2005 and 2006. He is listed as making $5.9 mill this year. I'm assuming that part of that $16.9 was signing bonus, if he is under $10 mill next year, I'm on the phones if I'm KW.

Out of that list, Oswalt by a large margin and then Schmidt.

None of the above. The only way we trade for a starter is if El Duque is out for the season. If that's the case, Oswalt, Obviously.

I voted for Oswalt, but it ain't happening. He's probably the best thing the 'stros have going for them, one of the best pitchers in baseball, tied up in a VERY affordable contract for his talent, and is only 27 years old. If there's anybody at all on that team who's not going to get moved besides Berkman, it's definitely Oswalt. If you were the Astros, would you trade him for any suspect in anybody's minor league system? I sure wouldn't...

I voted for Oswalt, but it ain't happening.  He's probably the best thing the 'stros have going for them, one of the best pitchers in baseball, tied up in a VERY affordable contract for his talent, and is only 27 years old.  If there's anybody at all on that team who's not going to get moved besides Berkman, it's definitely Oswalt.  If you were the Astros, would you trade him for any suspect in anybody's minor league system?  I sure wouldn't...

 

Considering that he will bring a ton of value in a trade, they're in rebuild mode, and the possibility that he could walk in 2007, why wouldn't they trade him?

I mean while we're on the topic of acquiring fantastic young talented pitchers who play for mediocre teams, why don't we also add Ben Sheets, Ollie Perez, Rich Harden, Roy Halladay, and oh the Marlins are only playing .500 ball, maybe any one of their pitchers as well. I don't mean to sound like I'm going off, but Oswalt is clearly a pipe dream. If somehow we did get him, I'd gladly eat my words for a month.

They have two other top veteran pitchers making more salary that I'm sure they'd prefer to dump and would get PLENTY of value for.

I mean while we're on the topic of acquiring fantastic young talented pitchers who play for mediocre teams, why don't we also add Ben Sheets, Ollie Perez, Rich Harden, Roy Halladay, and oh the Marlins are only playing .500 ball, maybe any one of their pitchers as well.  I don't mean to sound like I'm going off, but Oswalt is clearly a pipe dream.  If somehow we did get him, I'd gladly eat my words for a month.

 

If I'm not mistaken, Sheets is locked up long-term, as is Roy Halladay, and Harden and Perez are still in arbitration. Oswalt is on a 2 year deal, and the Astros are going into a rebuilding mode, so I think it makes sense to cash in on their 27 year old stud while they have the chance. They don't want another Beltran situation.

They have two other top veteran pitchers making more salary that I'm sure they'd prefer to dump and would get PLENTY of value for.

 

Clemens has a no-trade clause and makes too much money to go anywhere but the Yankees, who don't have the prospects they'd want. Pettite is also someone I'd like, however there is no way he brings as much value as Oswalt would.

I see your point, but they're shelling out 18 million for Clemens, 18 million for Bagwell, and 8.5 million for Pettitte. These guys will be off the books soon, the pitchers perhaps sooner than later. Their owner is clearly willing to spend $$ on talent if necessary. I mean he was going to give Beltran a hefty contract as well but just got plain outbidded by a New York team. If he wasn't fiscally trapped by all these high contracts, who knows, Beltran may still be in an Astros uni. If they're going into rebuilding mode, why wouldn't you keep your young ace? He may not even be at his full potential yet. By the time Oswalt's contract is up, Drayton McLane will have plenty of $$ to spend on him.

I think Oswalt...i really like zito but oswalt would be so awesome i dont see the Stros trading clemens and oswalt though and clemens will go b4 oswalt

I think of the old adage, "all prospects are suspects" until they prove otherwise. Oswalt has proven he has the stuff. He could easily be the best pitcher in baseball in a couple years. Why would you trade a PROVEN elite #1 starting pitcher for suspects? Unless you're getting like 3 or 4 major league ready, seriously can't miss prospects, which I don't think the Sox have, there's no way I'd deal Oswalt.

They may be able to keep Oswalt, but would it be worth it, especially considering they're not going to compete any time soon? Wouldn't it be a better idea to trade him to a contender for as much talent as you can get? I think if they can get some of our top prospects, they would go for it.

Any team that's willing to spend money can be a contender overnight (as long as you're not the Tigers). When the checkbook frees up, they have to have players to build on. They're obviously keeping Berkman, and I'd bet they keep the inexpensive, young Lidge as well. Lane, Ensberg, and Lamb are some decent everyday players. Clemens is obviously done soon. Pettitte may come back if he isn't traded, but he's already 33 and wouldn't be a huge part of a "rebuilding" process except for maybe a veteran presence. Bags is pretty much done. Biggio's gotta give it up soon. Who's left of note? Honestly no one. They have no young pitching stud who's making his rookie/sophomore tour. Oswalt's a building block. Giving up Oswalt and starting your pitching staff basically from nothing would add a lot of time to that rebuilding process.

How about Andy Pettite? Does he have a no trade? I know he's coming off surgery, but it was the same surgery Billy Wagner had, and he regained his old form quickly. Pettite is 4-7 but his numbers look good other than that. He is playoff tested and supposed to be a terrific human being, and is signed through next season. I know one thing, if the Sox don't get another starter another team will, and that could make a difference around playoff time. Its time for JR and his partners and KW to totally go for it.

How about Andy Pettite? Does he have a no trade? I know he's coming off surgery, but it was the same surgery Billy Wagner had, and he regained his old form quickly. Pettite is 4-7 but his numbers look good other than that. He is playoff tested and supposed to be a terrific human being, and is signed through next season.  I know one thing, if the Sox don't get another starter another team will, and that could make a difference around playoff time. Its time for JR and his partners and KW to totally go for it.

 

Considering his recent injury history, I'm not sure how Pettite is an upgrade over Duque.

I voted for Oswalt but that aint gunna happen. Theyd want our top three prospects and KW wont use all up on one guy. What if we needed to keep some for insurance. I just dont see Astros dealing Oswalt. AND dont say trade Crede cause Astros already got 2.

-But I think KW will do something to improve the team by the trade deadline.

It wont happen because houston wont trade oswalt for anyone. yes, they are rebuilding, and young great pitchers are best cornerstones to rebuild around. this entire thread should just be deleted. if houston deals a pitcher it could be lidge, theyve always felt that closers are overrated in the market, hence dotel and wagner being shipped out when they were set to make big $$. besides, the shelf life of closers these days is short, and they should sell high while theycould

Considering his recent injury history, I'm not sure how Pettite is an upgrade over Duque.

 

One way he is an upgrade is he is currently healthy. I don't know how anyone can be optimistic El Duque will be healthy at any point from now until the end of the season.