LINK please put this in offseason thread if need be... The pitching rotation for the ages, 2011 version, got a little thinner Monday when the Philadelphia Phillies declined the option years on th Roy Oswalt went 16-11 for the Phillies since being acquired in a trade from Houston in July of 2010.CAPTIONBy Daniel Shirey, US Presswiree contracts of Roy Oswalt and former closer Brad Lidge. In a statement released by the club, Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said: "While we will not pick up either of their options, we will remain in contact with representatives for both players about the possibility of bringing them back for the 2012 season. Brad and Roy both made significant contributions to the Phillies over the past several seasons." Oswalt, 34, went 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA in 23 starts this year and was due to make $16 million in his option year, Instead, he'll receive a $2 million buyout. Lidge, also 34, would have made $12.5 million. He went 0-2 with one save and a 1.40 ERA in 25 appearances. Oswalt, acquired at the trading dealine in July 2010, was expected to give the Phillies a dominant starting rotation with Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels. But a back injury sidelined him for about six weeks this year. Lidge, who recorded 41 saves in the Phils' championship season of 2008, mised the first half of the 2011 season with a shoulder injury.
Looks like you posted first, but this one was in the right forum first. http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=209890
bullcrap. They are former *Astros*. self-appointed forum police suck. I hope this thread doesn't get moved in order to satisfy the letter of some goofy "law". This topic is obviously pertinent to Astros fans.
I would sign Lidge, he'd be a nice bullpen add and won't be expensive. Oswalt would be a nice story but I think there might be some burned bridges.
Oswalt either holds out to pitch for the Braves, Rangers, or Cardinals. If those teams don't sign him, he likely retires.
What burned bridges? We traded him to a contending team when we were totally out of it. We even paid a good portion of the contract to facilitate it. Can't really do that much more for the guy.
Does this mean we could sign either one of them without losing draft picks. Or can philly still offer arbitration after rejecting the extension?
I think it would be a waste to sign Oswalt. But don't think there are enough young arms ready for the bullpen in the majors, especially if the Astros are moving to the dreaded AL. Then you do not want to overuse the young guys they do have. If he could be signed for cheap (<$2 million) he could be what they hoped B. Lyons would be. As for why would Lidge come here, well you got me.
Love Oz but he whined his way out of Houston and then made it incredibly hard for Wade to move him. I'm sure more then few people aren't thrilled with him within the organization. Why would they come here, not sure but can't hurt to ask.
Roy would be great in a clubhouse. Especially with tons of young kids. There have been more expensive morale boots in Houston sport's history.
If the owner and the GM want to get Houston back on their side, they'll make offers to at least Oswalt maybe Lidge... Considering that, it won't happen.
I have no interest in Roy, but as awful as our bully was last year, I'd consider giving Lidge a shot. Maybe a 2 year deal (team option on 2nd year) for $5-$6 million. Even though he's had injury problems recently, when healthy he was solid: 1.40 ERA in 19.1 IP. Of course, we'd need a comprehensive physical beforehand to see where he is physically.
