Spring training is so close you can almost smell the freshly mowed grass at Bright House Field. As the days count down to Clearwater, we take a daily look at something related to the Phillies. Some days, it will be newsy, some days it will be lighter in nature, some days it will be a thought or quick opinionanything to get us in the mood for a little warmth, a little sunshine and those three sweet words: pitchers and catchers.
There was a report over the weekend that indicated the Phillies were still in the running to re-sign free agent pitcher Roy Oswalt.
While wed never put anything past general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.not after he and assistant GM Scott Proefrocks stealth pursuit and signing of Cliff Lee 14 months agoOswalt and the Phillies just dont seem to be afit.
Amaro has frequently talked this winter about being near his limit in payroll budget. Yeah, he said similar things in the Winter of Lee, but this time we believe him. The Phils already have about 168 million in payroll commitments for 20 players in 2012 and the balance of the roster as well as bonuses and benefits will have them living very close to the 178 million luxury tax threshold for the second year in row this season. Even at a cut rate, we dont see the Phillies having the wiggle room to add Oswaltnot unless a significant salary can be subtracted in a trade. Joe Blanton is often mentioned as a trade possibility, but its extremely difficult to imagine a team taking on his 8.5 million salary after he missed most of last season with an elbow injury.
Finances probably arent the only consideration with Oswalt. The Phils thought Brad Lidge was too big of a health risk and let him walk. Oswalts history of back problems, which the Phillies dealt with in 2011, may also make him a risk the team is unwilling to take.
So where is this talk of the Phillies staying in contact with Oswalt coming from? Hmm. The phone rings on both ends. Maybe his agent is the one staying in contact, hoping for a reunion that seems quite unlikely.
You never say never with Amaro, but this one doesnt seem to hold water.
MLB
Perhaps the clearest indication that Oswalt will not be back is right there on the Phillies official roster. Reliever Michael Schwimer has been assigned Oswalts old No. 44. The Phillies equipment staff is way too sharp to hand out the number of a veteran of Oswalts stature if it wasnt all but certain the player was moving on.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com