Minaya and Mets Eyeing Roy Oswalt and Jason Schmidt

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

The New York Mets are engaged in serious talks for two superb starting pitchers who carry the potential to stamp them as a World Series favorite -- Giants right-hander Jason Schmidt and, in something of a shocker, the Astros' Roy Oswalt -- league sources told SI.com.

 

 

Mets general manager Omar Minaya was debating late Sunday night whether to surrender one of the biggest pieces of the Mets' future to acquire either Schmidt or Oswalt and greatly enhance his team's immediate chances. The asking price for both Schmidt and Oswalt is believed to revolve around multi-talented young outfielder Lastings Milledge.

 

Reported reason for the breakdown in the Milledge for Zito talk..........

 

While Minaya has also spoken to the A's about left-hander Barry Zito, it is believed he is focused on Schmidt and Oswalt, the type of hard throwers he'd prefer for his playoff rotation. For Zito, the A's have also been asking for Milledge and Heilman. But Mets people believe the harder-throwing Schmidt or Oswalt would fit perfectly between Pedro Martinez and Tom Glavine, two Cooperstown-bound pitchers who are finesse pitchers at this point in their glorious careers.

 

 

 

Edited to fix link

Edited July 31, 2006 by RonnieWooWooSanto

[NorthsideAvenger]

The New York Mets are engaged in serious talks for two superb starting pitchers who carry the potential to stamp them as a World Series favorite -- Giants right-hander Jason Schmidt and, in something of a shocker, the Astros' Roy Oswalt -- league sources told SI.com.

 

Oswalt's name is starting to pop up.........

 

Mets general manager Omar Minaya was debating late Sunday night whether to surrender one of the biggest pieces of the Mets' future to acquire either Schmidt or Oswalt and greatly enhance his team's immediate chances. The asking price for both Schmidt and Oswalt is believed to revolve around multi-talented young outfielder Lastings Milledge.

 

I think the chances are the Mets are more likely to land Schmidt, then Oswalt.

Reported reason for the breakdown in the Milledge for Zito talk..........

 

While Minaya has also spoken to the A's about left-hander Barry Zito, it is believed he is focused on Schmidt and Oswalt, the type of hard throwers he'd prefer for his playoff rotation. For Zito, the A's have also been asking for Milledge and Heilman. But Mets people believe the harder-throwing Schmidt or Oswalt would fit perfectly between Pedro Martinez and Tom Glavine, two Cooperstown-bound pitchers who are finesse pitchers at this point in their glorious careers.

[Outshined_One]

If the Astros are throwing Oswalt's name around like this, I'd be worried about his health.

 

There's no reason the Astros should be willing to trade him like this unless they know something everyone else doesn't. This isn't making any sense otherwise.

[Salazar89]

If the Astros are throwing Oswalt's name around like this, I'd be worried about his health.

 

There's no reason the Astros should be willing to trade him like this unless they know something everyone else doesn't. This isn't making any sense otherwise.

 

I agree, health or club house issues must be present. Moving Oswalt makes little or no sense if you are trying to chase down the wild card. I would think he would be less likely to go than the Rocket. Weird?

[biittner77]

Since when did Glavine become a first ballot hall of famer?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Since when did Glavine become a first ballot hall of famer?

 

Why wouldn't he be?

[mul21]

Since when did Glavine become a first ballot hall of famer?

 

Why wouldn't he be?

 

And where does it say he is?

[baseball7897]

Jayson Stark is reporting that the Mets are in talks with the Giants in acquiring Jason Schmidt.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

If the Astros are throwing Oswalt's name around like this, I'd be worried about his health.

 

There's no reason the Astros should be willing to trade him like this unless they know something everyone else doesn't. This isn't making any sense otherwise.

 

I'd understand next season if they were out of contention, but this season seems pretty odd.

[goonys evil twin]

If the Astros are throwing Oswalt's name around like this, I'd be worried about his health.

 

There's no reason the Astros should be willing to trade him like this unless they know something everyone else doesn't. This isn't making any sense otherwise.

 

I'd understand next season if they were out of contention, but this season seems pretty odd.

 

It's not like Houston is a legit contender. They are 3-7 in their last 10, and closer to the Cubs in the standings than the Cardinals (both in terms of place and games back). They are 7th in the WC standings and have not improved at all since Clements came on. Plus, Roy could make $15m in his final arbitration year this offseason and the team is really old and in line for a major overhaul (only Berkman and Ausmus are signed through 2007).

[YearofDaCubs]

If the Astros are throwing Oswalt's name around like this, I'd be worried about his health.

 

There's no reason the Astros should be willing to trade him like this unless they know something everyone else doesn't. This isn't making any sense otherwise.

 

I'd understand next season if they were out of contention, but this season seems pretty odd.

 

It's not like Houston is a legit contender. They are 3-7 in their last 10, and closer to the Cubs in the standings than the Cardinals (both in terms of place and games back). They are 7th in the WC standings and have not improved at all since Clements came on. Plus, Roy could make $15m in his final arbitration year this offseason and the team is really old and in line for a major overhaul (only Berkman and Ausmus are signed through 2007).

I thought Roy signed an extension last year with the Astros?

[goonys evil twin]

I thought Roy signed an extension last year with the Astros?

 

Cot's says he did, but it was just 2 years.

 

Roy Oswalt p

2 years/$16.9M (2005-06)

 

avoided arbitration 2/05 ($7.8M-$6M)

05:$5.9M, 06:$11M

Cy Young incentive ($0.5M for 1st, $0.35M for 2nd, $0.25M for 3rd)

contract also re-worked 10/05 to allow Houston owner Drayton McLane to give Oswalt a bulldozer for winning Game 6 of the 2005 NLCS

1 year/$3.25M (2004), avoided arbitration 1/04

1 year/$0.5M (2003) 2/03

1 year/$0.3M (2002)

drafted 1996 (23-684)

agent: Robert Garber

 

ML service: 4.149 (free agent after 2007 season)

[wild_cubs71]

If the Astros are throwing Oswalt's name around like this, I'd be worried about his health.

 

There's no reason the Astros should be willing to trade him like this unless they know something everyone else doesn't. This isn't making any sense otherwise.

 

I'd understand next season if they were out of contention, but this season seems pretty odd.

 

It's not like Houston is a legit contender. They are 3-7 in their last 10, and closer to the Cubs in the standings than the Cardinals (both in terms of place and games back). They are 7th in the WC standings and have not improved at all since Clements came on. Plus, Roy could make $15m in his final arbitration year this offseason and the team is really old and in line for a major overhaul (only Berkman and Ausmus are signed through 2007).

I thought Roy signed an extension last year with the Astros?

 

Think all he got was a bulldozer :lol:

[Laura]

If the Astros are throwing Oswalt's name around like this, I'd be worried about his health.

 

There's no reason the Astros should be willing to trade him like this unless they know something everyone else doesn't. This isn't making any sense otherwise.

 

I'd understand next season if they were out of contention, but this season seems pretty odd.

 

It's not like Houston is a legit contender. They are 3-7 in their last 10, and closer to the Cubs in the standings than the Cardinals (both in terms of place and games back). They are 7th in the WC standings and have not improved at all since Clements came on. Plus, Roy could make $15m in his final arbitration year this offseason and the team is really old and in line for a major overhaul (only Berkman and Ausmus are signed through 2007).

 

But doesn't it make more sense for them to peddle Clemens (hello, Boston) if overhaul is the name of the game?

 

Shopping Oswalt has been presented by a few talking heads as a convoluted response to Clemens demanding a big bopper bat from Drayton McLane. I guess I don't see how trading Oswalt for a bat significantly helps the Astros down the stretch, particularly if it's supposed to Oswalt + for one bat. Nor do I understand why Clemens would care about any longer-term rebuilding efforts.

 

Something doesn't add up, maybe it's just me.

[RynoRules]

I read that Oswalt was discussed only with the O's in a deal for Miggy, and even then, since Roy is in his walk year, the O's didn't want to do the deal unless they could spin Oswalt off some where else. This after the O's turned down the Aybar-Santana deal with the Halos.

 

Conclusion: The O's are on crack, and the Stros must have some understanding with Clemens that he won't be dealt, because they are going nowhere.

[goonys evil twin]

I guess I don't see how trading Oswalt for a bat significantly helps the Astros down the stretch, particularly if it's supposed to Oswalt + for one bat. Nor do I understand why Clemens would care about any longer-term rebuilding efforts.

 

Something doesn't add up, maybe it's just me.

 

I don't think trading Oswalt helps them down the stretch. It just might be a good move for the future though, both in terms of talent returned and not needing to sign his oft-injured body to a longterm deal. They should trade Clemens if they can.