Another Roy Oswalt Posting

Roy Oswalt turned down money from Detroit so that he could pitch for either the Cardinals or the Rangers. But the thing is, he turned down $10 million from Detroit, who, now has Prince Fielder, looks to be a real player. Oswalt has back problems and for a pitcher to have back problems and be offered the money Detroit threw at him, well, it seems foolish for Oswalt to have done so in saying a big fat no. What's more intriguing in all of this is that he wants to only start. The Cardinals would be willing to take him, but as a relief pitcher. AND for less cash than that of Detroit. Half the cash, for that matter. The Rangers are being shy and may not even offer the money that was originally rumored to be $7.5 million to most recently a $5 million deal to no deal at all. The Rangers are hinting at them bringing in farm talent that is ready and itching to come up.

So, do the Rangers sign Oswalt? I don't know anymore. It looked good at a glancing view, but now, not so much anymore. I agree with the comment of Fielder for ten to the Rangers as being a bad deal. It would handcuff us much like the A-Roid deal twelve or so years ago. If Detroit wants to handcuff itself, be my guest. We've played that game and all that did was help us lose. The Yankees can play the money game. I don't know if the Tigers can, but they sure do seem to be throwing a lot of money around right now. If the Rangers did that, that would only prove to be foolish financing.

Prince Fielder and Roy Oswalt

I guess besides the money, Prince wanted to go where his father played. I think it is a good fit for the Tigers, not really sure for Fielder. I say this because he could hit more homeruns in other stadiums. But money is money and baseball is a business, too. I think if players were REALLY about the jewelry, they would bundle up to teams with particular players. Maybe that is how New York gets so much in talented free agents,

Roy Oswalt:
"It's enticing when you have a veteran starter who wants to pitch for you," general manager Jon Daniels said Thursday, the paper reports. "The reality is we have a lot of starting pitchers that all have high upsides, and we want to give them the ball."

It doesn't look like Roy is coming to Texas after all. I don't know if I like that idea. From a fan's standing point, we have let Cliff Lee slip from our grasp, and followed that up the next year with CJ Wilson going to a divisional rival. It's tough to see.

Yes, we get Yu Darvish and Adrian Beltre... does that make up for the loses? Bittersweet, I guess.

Roy Oswalt

OK, so let's talk about Roy Oswalt. The Rangers are going to sign him and he would fit in the rotation just right. And should the Rangers (actually, they will) sign him, that is a message that the Rangers want to get back to the World Series for a third straight year.

Can you imagine a lineup with Hamilton, Cruz, Beltre, Kinsler, Young, and Fielder? Can you imagine a rotation with Darvish, Feliz, Lewis, and Oswalt?

And then there is Joe Nathan closing the door. Of course, Feliz could be doing that, with Nathan being a set up guy for him. Or the other way around, Feliz setting up for Nathan. But if Nathan is closing, look for Feliz to start, as I don't see Feliz being a set-up guy. I'm sure he would if he was told to, I just don't see it happening on a everyday or two basis.

The Lineup as I see it right now:

C     Mike Napoli
1B   Mitch Moreland
(Prince Fielder would take his spot)
2B   Ian Kinsler
SS   Elvis Andrus
3B   Adrian Beltre
OF  Josh Hamilton
OF  Nelson Cruz
OF  Julio Borbon
(although Leonys Martin, could take his spot in the lineup somewhere along the way)
DH  Michael Young

Pitching Rotation:

SP  Yu Darvish
SP  Colby Lewis
SP  Neftali Feliz
SP  Derek Holland
SP  Alexi Ogando/Matt Harrison/Scott Feldman
CP  Joe Nathan

I think Ogando should be the #5 guy and when Oswalt signs, the Rotation would drop Holland into a competition with Ogando and Harrison and Feldman would essentially be given the long relief role instead of any real chance of a starting spot, which is probably best for the team anyway. I like Harrison and Feldman in the relief roles, personally, and Ogando can go either way for me. He flourished last season in the starting spot and I would like to see him given the opportunity to do that again.