Ron Paul, Rick Santorum Suggest Foul Play From Romney Campaign
WATCH: Whitney Houston's Biggest Interview Moments
Let the frenzied rumor mill begin. The MLB trading season, which doesn't normally get going until at least the middle of June, was officially launched on Friday when Astros GM Ed Wade confirmed that Roy Oswalt has requested a trade.Oswalt instantly becomes the top starting pitcher for those teams looking for such a thing, which is just about everyone. The Dodgers and Mets ought to be among those first in line, though Oswalt reportedly would prefer to join the Cardinals, Braves or Rangers.
This news comes just a week after Oswalt told FanHouse that he'd be willing to listen if the Astros wanted to trade him. He said his first choice was to help the Astros return to contention, though. The Astros lost six of the next seven games, so perhaps Oswalt realized the futility in all of that.
An Astros representative told reporters in Houston that Oswalt had no comment on the situation.
Wade told the Houston Chronicle that Astros are not obligated to trade Oswalt just because he requested it.
Share "I'm going to put my tongue in my cheek and say that Roy's contract includes a no-trade clause, not a trade-me clause," Wade said. "There is no rule that allows a player in his contract status to demand a trade. Demand, request... it's all the same and duly noted."
That said, the Astros understand where Oswalt is coming from with his request.
"We haven't played well, and that raises questions," McLane told MLB.com. "Roy is like I am. Those of you that have known me for 18 years, do I want to win? Do I want to be a champion? Absolutely. They [Oswalt and his agent] want to win, so they want to know which direction we're headed, so that's something we've got to consider."
A scout told FanHouse last week that Houston's farm system is depleted, so it makes sense that they will have to move Oswalt (and maybe Lance Berkman too) if they want to start replenishing it. It's going to be tricky, though, because Oswalt still has a little over $10 million coming to him the rest of this year, plus $16 million next year and a club option for $16 million in 2012. Since he has a no-trade clause, Oswalt might also insist on that 2012 option being picked up in order for him to approve a trade. As is usually the case in these sort of things, the quality of the players the Astros get back will depend, in large part, on how much money the Astros are willing to pay.
Adele Wins Album Of The Year
Greek Protests Continue As Lawmakers Debate Severe Austerity Measures
2012 Grammy Awards: Celebrities Remember Whitney Houston
Mystery Disease Kills Thousands
Country Considers Bills Lifting Gay-Marriage Ban
Updates On Whitney Houston's Autopsy
The Week's 5 Juiciest Apple Rumors
Michael Smerconish: A Response to Sean Hannity
Blogger Faces Possible Death Penalty For Tweets
Bomb Attack Targets Israeli Diplomat In India
Costa Concordia Video Shows Crew Reactions To Cruise Crash
GOP Bill Would Strip Workers Of Overtime, Minimum Wage Protections
Mitch McConnell Not Accepting Obama Compromise
Syrian Forces Rocket Homs As Arab League Meets In Cairo
Paul Ryan On Obama's 'Accounting Trick'
Sarah Palin 'Not Convinced' Of Romney's Conservatism
Mitt Romney Once Backed Provision He Now Decries
Some States Using Funds From Foreclosure Deal To Close Budget Gaps
WATCH: Nasim Pedrad As Arianna On SNL's Weekend Update
Mitt Romney Wins Maine Caucus
