Rangers Sign Roy Oswalt

[Raw Biz]

It looks like the Rangers will be signing Oswalt. That could take them out of the picture for Greinke. Then again, if they traded for Greinke, that could very easily put them over-the-top to be WS favorites (I think adding Greinke alone would have done that).

[splitterpfj]

I think they're already World Series favorites.

[HiAndTight]

I think they're already World Series favorites.

 

 

 

Right, but you could easily argue they were the last two years as well.

 

 

I don't think they were willing to give up a guy like Profar for Grienke, so they went out and signed a guy who, only having to pitch half a year, could give them a big boost.

 

And with Yu Darvish improving as the season moves along...we'll see.

 

I too think Greinke himself would have made them far and away the favorites. His recent blow up, and the cost though may have pushed them to Oswalt and the 8 million he was looking for.

 

 

It seems pretty obvious to me this was a move to keep him away from the Phillies. The Brewers had recent talks with Oswalt, but reportedly wanted too much money.

 

So they strike a blow to the Phillies a team that could easily get hot, get in and with Halladay/Lee/Hamels and Worley beat any team, especially if they have a couple of injured vets come back and produce in the post-season.

And they solidify their own system without having to give up their top guy.

[PrinceEatMeat]

I don't see how this isn't a better move for Texas than giving up prospects for a guy like Greinke. They are clearly already the best team in baseball, and Oswalt will fit the bill just fine. The teams that will pine for Greinke are the ones that need that extra push. Not sure who that'll be exactly yet, but we'll see come mid-July or so. Probably teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, and Angels. The teams I could really see being interesting trade partners though are teams that weren't expected to compete this year, but that are hanging near the top of the standing. Teams such as the Orioles, Indians, and Nationals if they continue winning.

[crewcrazy]

I think this might end up helping any potential Greinke trade market. With Oswalt still out there, teams looking for a low-end #1/high-end #2 were likely looking more at Oswalt than swinging a trade. He doesn't cost prospects, his pro-rated salary is cheaper than what's left for Greinke this year, and like it or not he's probably seen as more of a steady/known commodity.

 

Oswalt's out of the picture now. No matter how bad things get in Philly, I don't think they trade Cole Hamels (especially now that Halladay is down for a month+), either. That pretty much leaves Greinke as the only low #1/high #2 out there for teams that want to make a push. If the Brewers want to go the trade route and they get lucky, the competition for Greinke will be enough to overcome concerns other teams might have about not getting any draft pick compensation for him.

[3and2Fastball]

I think with Halladay out 6-8 weeks, the Phillies will be sellers at the deadline and Hamels will definitely be in the mix as a trade nugget.

 

I don't expect Oswalt to be anything special, and I think Texas will go after either Greinke or Hamels