The Phillies land Roy Oswalt

It seems every time I turn around the Philadelphia Phillies are making a trade for a big time pitcher. While Roy Oswalt may not be as big time as some of the other hurlers they have brought in as of late, or traded away, I really think he will help this team. I think it is pretty clear that Oswalt’s best days are behind him, but that is the beauty of this trade. In Philly he does not have to be the ace, he can just be a piece and every fifth day take his turn to help this team win. For this stage of Oswalt’s career it is exactly the right position to be in.

Let us take a look at what each team got in the deal:

•The Phillies get Roy Oswalt and 11 million dollars towards his roughly 23 million dollar left on his deal
•The Houston Astros get LHP JA Happ, OF prospect Anthony Gose, and IF prospect Jonathan Villar

So far in 2010 Oswalt is 6-12 with a 3.42, but we have to consider that he was pitching for a pretty bad Astros team. I think he will step into the Phillies rotation in place of Joe Blanton who is 4-6 with a 5.85 ERA. Oswalt joins a staff with Roy Halladay, Cole Hammels so Oswalt steps in as just one of the guys and gives the Phillies one of the strongest starting rotations in baseball.

Currently the Phillies sit 2.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves for the divisional lead in the NL East. Their record of 56-46 also puts them behind the San Francisco Giants for the NL wild card, so there is some work to do. They are hoping that Oswalt is the difference maker for them to gain a playoff spot.

Related Links:

•Philadelphia Phillies news and notes
•Houston Astros news and notes
•The Business of Major League Baseball
•MTR Baseball.com