Philadelphia Phillies

Another year and another trade deadline dominated by the Philadelphia Phillies quest to acquire a starting pitcher. Last year the Phillies acquired Cliff Lee near the trade deadline, and this year they have acquired another front-line starter.

The Phillies acquired Roy Oswalt from the Houston Astros for JA Happ and minor leaguers Anthony Gose and Jonathan Villar. The Astros will pick up $11 million on Oswalt’s contract and the Phillies will not pick up Oswalt’s 2012 option, which was a sticking point for a while.

If there's anyone like me who wasn't a true fan of the move to bring in Roy Oswalt, you're probably hoarse from screaming at your TV all night long.

Oswalt was incredibly erratic in his Phillies debut as he and the team fell to the Washington Nationals, 8-1.

Every year, there's always one move around the trade deadline that affects the rest of the MLB season or even the playoffs.

Much like last year when the Phillies acquired Cliff Lee in July, they made a move for this year's best available pitcher: Roy Oswalt.

In sports, being able to take care of business at home usually separates the bad teams from the good ones. But being able to win on the road is ultimately what separates the good teams from the very best.

It’s no secret that the Phillies’ uncanny ability to consistently win away from home has helped make them of baseball’s best teams in recent years.

On the homemade page-of-the-day calendar that I made my wife as a Christmas present, today's page reads as follows:

"On this date in 2006, Bobby Abreu was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the New York Yankees for, well, not much. Although the deal was heavily criticized at the time, the Phillies have since enjoyed the winningest period in their history, winning three division titles, making two trips to the World Series, and winning the 2008 World Championship.

On Thursday, the Philadlephia Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. completed yet another trade deadline blockbuster which may put the team back on top of the NL East in short order.

With the aquisition of former Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt, it's arguable the Phillies now boast the best top 3 starting rotation in the National League.

The injury bug has decimated the Phillies throughout season, with only a handful of games being played using the club's top starting lineup.

By tomorrow night, Roy Oswalt will take the mound in a Philadelphia uniform.

After the 32-year-old ace dropped his no trade clause and accepted the trade from the Houston Astros to the Philadelphia Phillies, Oswalt joins a team dedicated to winning.

That is exactly what Oswalt was looking for, and he may be exactly what the Phillies need in order to win their second World Series in three years.

The Phillies were the clear winner in this trade with the Astros, as Philly received one of the best pitchers in the league, along with $11 million.

I feel obligated to snap this off tonight.  The Tex Mex Phillies aka Astros are a much different team and Roy Oswalt deserves some advice upon his arrival.  Considering Houston is like our second home I would like to help him adjust once he gets to Philly (he pitches tomorrow night at the Nats for anyone who has been asleep).

Big Texas Howdy, Roy!  I hope this helps you as much as you will help us on our quest to the World Series!

It must have been agonizing coming to work and taking the mound every five days as the notable ace on a formidable roster in Houston and realizing misery reducing the reliance and excitement. They are a perfect landing spot for the disgruntled Roy Oswalt, a veteran right-hander who needed a change of scenery and a chance to contend for a championship.

Post hoc ergo propter hoc.

For all of you who don't own a classics degree or obsessively watch The West Wing , this Latin phrase roughly translates to "after it, therefore because of it."

It means one thing follows the other, therefore it was caused by the other. It's a generality, and it's not always true, but it outlines the intricate relationship between baseball transactions.

Casualty weighs heavily on the minds of baseball general managers this time of year.