Oswalt Accepts Trade to Phillies

HOUSTON - Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt told FOX 26 Sports on Thursday that he has waived his no-trade clause and accepted a trade to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Astros reached an agreement Wednesday night on the trade with the Phillies, but needed Oswalt to approve the deal because he has a no-trade clause.

"It feels pretty good actually to have all of this stuff out of the way and I can concentrate on baseball," Oswalt said.

Oswalt said he will pitch for the Phillies Friday against the Washington Nationals.

"I love the city of Houston and the Astros fans," Oswalt said. "They have been great to me and the Astros are a great organization. I think it's time for us to separate and do something different.

"Philly has a great team with a chance to go to the World Series. I wanted this deal to be good for both the Astros and me and I think it is."

Oswalt is owed about $5 million for the rest of this season.

He will make $16 million next season and his contract has a team option for 2012 worth $16 million.

Oswalt's agent, Bob Garber, told FOX 26 the option-year was restructured.

"It's a mutual option in 2012," Garber said. "Before if Roy walked away he would have received $1 million. Now if he walks away he will get $2 million. So in effect he could be playing for $18 million next year.

Oswalt asked the Astros earlier this season to try and trade him to a contender if it is in the best interest of the club.

"It's a little bit emotional," Oswalt said. "It's another chapter and it's a chance to get to the World Series."

He was scheduled to start for Houston against Milwaukee Friday at Minute Maid Park.

Oswalt was one win shy of tying Joe Niekro's all-time record for victories in an Astros uniform (144).

In 2010 Oswalt is 6-12 with a 3.42 ERA in 129 innings. He has struck out 120.

For his career Oswalt is 143-82 with a 3.24 ERA and 19 complete games.

He had back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2004 and 2005.