MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports that the Phillies could acquire Oswalt and still keep Jayson Werth.
The Astros were scouting JA Happ yesterday, indicating that he would be involved in a trade bringing Oswalt to Philly. On the surface, this seems like a short term win- keep Werth and add Oswalt for the stretch run. I think we would all be happy with this outcome. But it begs the question, is Oswalt really $15 million better than Happ? Sure, he has a much better track record, but look at their stats over the last two seasons:
Happ: 181.1 IP, 13 W, 4 L, 6.35 K/9, 1.27 WHIP, 2.83 ERA
Oswalt: 310.1 IP, 14 W, 18 L, 7.48 K/9, 1.19 WHIP, 3.83 ERA
While Oswalt strikes out more batters and his record if affected by the team he plays on, Happ's ERA is a full point lower. Oswalt is also owed $16 million each of the next two seasons (assuming he stands firm on his new team picking up his option in 2012). Happ, on the other hand, will make about half a million dollars in 2010 and 2011. He is arbitration eligible in 2012.
The money spent on Oswalt could be used to re-sign Werth or acquire another top-notch free agent.
Plus, not only was it reported that Oswalt didn't want to play in a large media market, but The Boston Globe also reports that a team like the Yankees turns him off because they're too "big time." Not sure if that's the right attitude for Philly.