Friday update on Roy Oswalt

There have been some news today, mainly from Cleveland and Boston so I am presenting and update of what has been happening on Roy Oswalt the last day or so. This is the fourth update, and you can find them all here. This is what we learned since the last update:

• It has been quiet from the Twins' front as far as news about Roy Oswalt go. On the other hand, radio, TV, and print media reporters in the Twin Cities, pretty much voice a uniform opinion that the "Twins are done" making transactions.


• The Cleveland Indians acquired former Twins SP Kevin Slowey from the Rockies for 24 year old RHP Zach Puntam who is ranked the Indians' 10th best prospect by Baseball America; this will quell the rumors that Cleveland might be interested in Oswalt or Jake Westbrook (freeing a spot for the Cardinals to acquire Oswalt), to mitigate the Fausto Carmona situation. This trade really shows that Terry Ryan blew it in the Colorado trade because what he received was much less than what Colorado received (but this is a different story.)


• The Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, St. Louis Cardinals,New York Yankees were mentioned in an MLB.com video, by Jim Duquette and Fred McGriff as potential landing places for Roy Oswalt, but it is all speculative. On the other hand, Jerry Cransnick included the Blue Jays (and the Mariners) to the list of the teams interested in Jeff Francis., which make their supposed interest in Oswalt less


• The Boston Red Sox seem to be focusing on Gavin Floyd who will be cheaper, because as is they cannot afford Oswalt, per Boston Herald's Scott Lauber. This opinion has been voiced by several people connected to the Red Sox. Ian Browne, also at the MLB.com, took it a step further and said that "at this stage, it doesn't seem like there will be any big changes before pitchers and catchers report to camp on Feb. 19" for the Red Sox. Gordon Edes from ESPNBoston.com agrees. On the other hand, Michael Silverman from the Boston Herald suggests that the Red Sox are still in contact with Oswalt. Speaking of the Red Sox, you can find a great analysis on their payroll situation and Luxury tax implications at the Fire Brand, written by Chip Buck, so make your own conclusions about how much flexibility they have. Edit: Troy Renck indicates that the Red Sox are close to trading Marco Scutero to the Rockies which will free $6M off their 2012 payroll. This might just be enough for them to pursue Roy Oswalt. Re-edit: According to Troy Renck the Scutaro to the Rockies trade is dead. So that leaves the Red Sox where there were before


• The Chicago White Sox seem to be out of it


• Philadelphia Phillies assistant GM Scott Proefrock at 97.3 ESPN South Jersey this afternoon mentioned that the Phillies have enough starting pitcing and Roy Oswalt "would be a long shot", regardless having lower demands right now.

If there are any more news on Roy Oswalt, I will update here.