According to a report in the New York Post, Astros ace Roy Oswalt, who has a full no-trade clause in his contract, is willing to approve a trade if the Mets and Astros can work out a deal.
But the question is, are the Mets willing to take on Oswalt’s contract?
Oswalt is owed approximately $30 million until the end of the 2011 season. Despite the fact that he is 4-8, he has been plagued by poor run support and still sports a nifty 3.16 ERA and has 82 strikeouts through 85.1 innings pitched.
Oswalt’s age, 32, and contract might be enough to scare away the Mets. The upside is, if the Mets work out a deal with the Astros, it probably won’t cost the team dearly when it comes to prospects.
The Mets must upgrade their starting rotation. After Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey (and perhaps Jon Niese), can you trust the Mets back of the rotation?
The Mets No. 4 and No. 5 starters have a combined 9-2 record. Can you expect Hisanori Takahashi and R.A. Dickey continue this success through September? October? Will John Maine return and regain his form? Oliver Perez?
There are a lot of questions in the back end of the rotation, but acquiring Oswalt, although at a steep price, could turn a weakness into a strength. Oswalt’s presence would give the Mets another bona fide ace.
The Mets still could trade for the Orioles Kevin Millwood or the Indians Jake Westbrook, both are B plans. If you can’t get Oswalt or Lee, than you might as well roll the dice with Takahashi, Dickey and Maine as Brian Joura pointed out earlier on Mets360.com.