When I found out late afternoon/early evening on Sunday that the Yankees had lost out on Dan Haren, I was annoyed. Not crazily annoyed, but enough to give an “Aw [expletive]” and a snap, but that’s it. Anyway, the second thing I thought, after the expletive and snap, was that I hoped the Yankees wouldn’t pursue Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt.
By all means, Roy is a fantastic pitcher and is having a great year. He’s got a career high 8.37 K/9. His 3.45 xFIP is his lowest since 2005 (3.42). His BB/9 of 2.37 is on pace to be his highest since 2002 and would be the highest of his career, but that’s still under three. Oswalt’s definitely an underrated pitcher for his career and has bounced back from a relatively poor–by Oswalt standards at least–2009. He’d be a great asset for any team making a stretch run, much like the Yankees. However, I do not want the Yankees to trade for Oswalt.
My hesitance doesn’t necessarily come from the package that it would take because of the fact that Oswalt wants his $16MM option picked up if hie is traded (that’s what’s giving me pause). Since Oswalt wants that option guaranteed, the ‘Stros aren’t in a position to ask for too much in prospects. Something comparable to the Haren package could probably get it done. That $16MM option, though, is a real sticking point. If Oswalt doesn’t budge from that stance–which he said he might do for the Cardinals–there’s probably no chance he’s a Yankee.
And, frankly, if Oswalt does not want to reconsider his option stance, the Yankees should not be interested. That option could interfere with many things in the Yankees’ off-season plans. While I don’t think it would preclude them from getting Cliff Lee, it could preclude them from offering Javier Vazquez arbitration and reaping draft picks if he leaves. An Oswalt + Lee inclusive rotation would also force Phil Hughes out of the rotation unnecessarily if Andy Pettitte does not retire. If Pettitte does retire, then it works out fine. But, I don’t know if that’s a gamble the Yankees can afford to take, especially if they’re going after Lee. If they trade for Oswalt and decide to not go after Lee, I would not be very happy. At the end of the day, though, I don’t think the Yankees will acquire Roy Oswalt or do anything more than test the proverbial waters.
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8 Responses to Losing Out on Haren Shouldn't Mean Going After Oswalt
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TIQ IQ
I agree basically. Oswald is a solid starter on many levels, but, in addition to the salary issues that you pointed out, two other things bother me about Oswald.
(1)-Many reports indicate that he may not be happy in the spotlight in a big eastern city, and,
(2)-He has feasted on bad Cincinnati Reds teams over his career like any pitcher rarely has with one team. He was like 23-1 (!!!) against the Reds, until he lost the last 2 games to them (and now the Reds are a good team again, and he can’t beat them).
Take his stats against this anomoly away, and you have a totally different pitcher.
In the Yankee world— Lee> Haren + Oswalt.
16 mil for 2011 & 2012 is a good deal. it like signing an ace for two year contract which is hard to do. about 5 mil for the rest of this year. he is way better than haren. but he doesnt have the empire state of mind. wouldnt trade for him. I am very comfortable with cc, aj, andy, vazquez as the starting 4man rotation in the playoff. our current team is a 100 win team. what get haren, dunn or oswald so that we win 120 games this year? i rather watch competitive baseball. when is it too much? enough already
JAvy VAsquez is not part of the equation.Yankees will NOT offer him arbitration in either event, as he will most likely accept, as nobody will give him that much money to play for them while also giving pu their #1 DRAFT PICK.
We’ve lost those 2 draft picks and Javy was just a bad, bad deal, as was Granderson.
I still believe Yankees will offer arbitration and that Javy will decline it. I doubt he’s willing to take the chance of being a trade asset for the Yankees at next years trade deadline.
Is it about 120 wins or advancing in the playoffs?
This bullpen is borderline abysmal, Phil Hughes gets more run support than any pitcher in baseball and I don’t think He or JAvy are beating ANYONE in a PLAYOFF or world series.
name a team who has a better 4th starter than vazquez for the playoff? no one. every team has so so bullpen. its about the relievers getting hot in the right time. remember last year. marte. hughes was mo-like during last season but for the playoff, he as farnsworth.
If he and Javy are’nt good enough to win in the playoffs, then no team is good enough. Go look at the rotations for their possible competitors.