Rangers In, Cardinals Out of Oswalt Trade Talks

HOUSTON - Major League Baseball sources told FOX 26 Sports the Texas Rangers made an offer Wednesday to acquire pitcher Roy Oswalt in a trade with the Houston Astros.

MLB sources also told FOX 26 the St. Louis Cardinals have ended their efforts to land Oswalt.

The Rangers were considered one of the first teams to express an interest in the Astros ace, but have since traded for starting pitcher Cliff Lee in a deal with the Seattle Mariners.

Along with Texas, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers are among the teams expressing the most interest in Oswalt

In fact MLB.com reports the Phillies are the top contenders to land him.

The New York Yankees may be in the market for a starting pitcher, but there hasn't been any evidence they have expressed interest in Oswalt.

"There have been lots of discussions," said Astros owner Drayton McLane, in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "We've talked about a lot of proposed deals. There's nothing imminent."

The MLB non-waiver trading deadline is 3 p.m. Houston time Saturday.

Oswalt is scheduled to start Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers at Minute Maid Park.

Earlier this season, Oswalt asked the Astros to consider trading him if it would be in the best interest of the club.

Oswalt, who has a full no-trade clause, has the right to veto any deal.

He is hopeful, if the Astros ask him to approve a trade, that he will have ample time to consider the request.

"I need a little bit of time," Oswalt told reporters prior to Wednesday's game between the Astros and Chicago Cubs. "I don't want it to be two hours before deadline and I have to make a quick decision.

"I'd rather have a little bit of time to think about it."