Pending league approval. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/07/astros-phillies-reach-oswalt-agreement-approval-needed.html
And pending his approval. He hasn't said he will go to Philly yet. He didn't want to go there a few days ago.
Ciff Lee > Roy Oswalt, Kyle Kendrick They hardly gave up anything.... unreal JA Happ and a bunch of prospects which may or may not amount to anything. Not like they gave up Brown.
Not that my opinion matters much, Oswalt was never that great, and he's not getting any better. It helps the Phils that they have Halladay and Oswalt doesn't have to be the ace, because he's not an ace.
Now just imagine if it was Halladay. Lee and Hamels in that order? Your probably down 2-0 and likely have to face two of them again if it gets that far. The DBacks proved you can win a WS with 2 really fantastic pitchers and a better then average offense.
Yeah, and don't short sell Happ, either. I might rather have Happ in my rotation. They basically got rid of Lee and Happ to replace him with Oswalt on the roster. Sub-optimal, to say the least.
The question now becomes with the money Oswalt is owed have they priced themselves out of making any moves in the offseason? The Phils have to have probably a top 5 payroll already and Oswalt is just going to hurt them down the road ...at least having financial flexibilty.
Wow, Ruben Amaro Jr. truly is a moron. Some of the worst asset management I can remember seeing. A lot of you guys are selling Oswalt short though. He's consistently put up great numbers in a terrible pitcher's park, and this year is no exception. Plus, he's pitched some huge games in the postseason. This trade definitely helps the Phillies make the playoffs.
He's going to be pitching in an even more favorable park for hitters now. I don't mean to sell Oswalt short. He's just not as valuable as Cliff Lee. And he's certainly not as valuable as Cliff Lee and JA Happ combined. Gee, if the Phils wanted experienced veteran, front of the rotation pitching to help make the playoffs, they could have had it... with Cliff Lee.
Was it, though? I mean, I know the Phils figured they couldn't offer an extension to Halladay and resign Lee, but that is basically why it was a three way deal; the Lee side of the deal wasn't necessary to obtain Halladay (from the points of view of the other teams involved).
Like I said in the part you cut out of my quote, it was really dumbass asset management by Amaro. That said, this deal would improve the Phillies tremendously if Oswalt agrees to it. It probably makes them the favorite to win the NL.
I know. My point was just that I wasn't trying to sell Oswalt short. He's a very good pitcher. But so is Happ. With him back, I'm not sure Oswalt would be that much of an improvement. Oswalt is just more of a known quantity.
It was considered a three way deal, because the deals weren't happening unless they both happened. The Phillies weren't going to be able to acquire Halladay without trading Lee away, for a variety of factors, including money. So it's silly to say the Phillies traded for Halladay and then dealt Lee when they didn't have to. That wasn't how it happened.
Oswalt for Happ, Johnathan Villar and Anthony Gose. Gose has been immediately traded to Toronto for Brett Wallace. Brett Wallace is a highly regarded hitting prospect who, in the last year or so, has been traded for: Matt Holliday (St. Louis to Oakland) Michael Taylor (Oakland to Toronto after Toronto got Taylor in the Halladay deal) Anthony Gose (Toronto to Houston after the Oswalt deal) http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&id=5487 Astros should move Berkman and call this kid up.
