Examining the market for Roy Oswalt

May, 24, 2012
5/24/12
10:49
PM CT


This may sound familiar, but some things never change:

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ESPN's Jayson Stark dishes on the market for Roy Oswalt, the Rangers' hold on the AL West and more.

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Two friends of Roy Oswalt say they still believe his preference is to play in Texas, Atlanta or St. Louis. But since there's no indication the Braves or Cardinals are interested, his challenge is likely to be trying to convince the Rangers to pay him the significant dollars he's hoping for.

An official of one club that looked into Oswalt reports: "He wants a ton of money to pitch half a season. But based on how he pitched last year, it wasn't like he was dominant. So he's not a guy who's going to wrap up the pennant for you. He'd be a nice guy to add to the bottom of the rotation. He's not a guy you're adding to the top of your rotation, at this stage. But [based on his asking price] he doesn't see it that way."

The big reasons Oswalt would love to be a Ranger, according to his friends: (A) Geography, (B) no worries about run support, (C) no state income tax, (D) his relationship with Nolan Ryan and (E) lots of storylines for the media to center on besides him. But both friends stressed that money is an important factor, so if the Rangers don't make it worth his while, it's not a lock that Oswalt pitches in Texas -- or anywhere.

Read more here.

Jayson Stark | email

Senior Writer, ESPN.com

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WINS LEADER
Yu Darvish
WINS ERA SO IP
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OTHER LEADERS
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RBIN. Cruz 33
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