Roy Oswalt plans to accept his proposed trade to the Philadelphia Phillies, a baseball source who has spoken with Oswalt’s camp told ESPN.com Thursday.
Oswalt hasn’t officially waived his no-trade clause to OK the deal, the source said. But after considering his options and speaking with friends familiar with the Phillies’ situation, the source said the Houston Astros staff ace is prepared to go to Philadelphia.
It was not immediately clear if the Phillies or Astros offered any financial incentives for Oswalt to drop his trade veto rights. The Astros will pay $11 million of the approximately $23 million that the 32-year-old right-hander has guaranteed through 2011, sources said.
In return for Oswalt, the Astros would get back left-handed starter J.A. Happ and two prospects, according to sources.
Decade of Dominance
OswaltSince breaking into the big leagues in 2001, Roy Oswalt has 143 victories — 28 more than any other NL pitcher. And his 1,593 strikeouts are the most for any NL pitcher with 100 starts since 2001.
Category Oswalt NL Rank
Wins 143 1st
ERA 3.24 5th
Strikeouts 1,593 1st
Innings 1,958 2/3 2nd
While the Phillies prospects have not been identified, sources said the Astros have pressed hard for first baseman Jonathan Singleton, considered the team’s best minor league hitting prospect. Singleton is currently at Class A Lakewood in the South Atlantic League, where he was hitting .312 with 18 doubles and 12 home runs as of Thursday.
The agreement on trade terms was first reported by KRIV-TV in Houston.
The Astros were off to a National League-worst 14-27 start when Oswalt asked for a trade on May 22. As of Thursday he was 6-12 with a 3.42 ERA. He was scheduled to start Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Happ was scheduled to start Friday for the Phillies against Washington.
For his career, Oswalt is 143-82 with a 3.24 ERA.
