According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Astros, who have very little hope of competing this year, are considering trading their ace Roy Oswalt who has a no-trade clause.
On his radio show this past Monday, WFAN’s Mike Francesa reported that the Astros would listen to offers from the Mets. Although Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork responded to Francesa’s comment by citing “a source familiar with the Astros thinking” who said that the Mets really don’t have a chance to land the righty.
The reasoning behind that thinking is that Oswalt is looking to play for a contender, something the Mets may or may not be, and that he isn’t particularly fond of New York.
Despite that, the Mets should try to pursue a deal for Oswalt if the Astros are willing to listen. Oswalt isn’t the most durable of all pitchers, but when he is healthy, like he is now, he is very effective. With an overall record of 138-72, Oswalt has a career ERA+ of 135 and is off to a hot start this year. If the Mets could add an arm like him to their rotation like Oswalt’s it could make a huge difference and it would give the Mets a 1-2 combination along with Johan Santana that would rival any such combo in the NL.
There is no word on exactly what type of package the Astros would be looking for, but you have to imagine that they’d look to start the conversation with either Ike Davis or Jenrry Mejia . Obviously general manager Omar Minaya will try to talk him away from those names. Does he have another Johan Santana -type deal up his sleeve?
Oswalt has two years and $31 million left on his contract. He also has a 2012 option worth $16 million or a $2 million buyout.
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