Oswalt to Sign with Texas Rangers

Roy O is headed to Arlington. (Photo: AP)

So much for Roy Oswalt fans getting their wish of the righty coming back to Philadelphia. It appears he has made his decision to stay closer to his home in Mississippi.

According to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan, Oswalt is heading to the reigning American League champion Texas Rangers. Terms of the contract have not been made public, however, some in the industry believe it to be between $5-7 million.

Oswalt, 34, made 23 starts for the Phillies last season and struggled through a back injury. His 3.69 ERA in 2011 was the highest of his career.

It’s highly unlikely Oswalt will be ready to step right into the Rangers rotation. Sullivan says he’ll probably need a few minor league starts.

With the Roy Halladay news coming down today, it seemed like a no-brainer that the Phillies would at least be in on Oswalt – and it’s possible they were. The Dodgers also reportedly offered him a contract.

Oswalt has long wanted to pitch for Texas, or a team close to his home. He is now getting that wish. And what a spot he’s stepping into.

Pat Gallen

Pat joined Phillies Nation in July 2009, coming over from Examiner.com. As a previous employee of both Comcast SportsNet and the National Basketball Association, Pat prides himself on being a well-rounded individual when it comes to sports. However, the Phillies are first on the list. You’ll usually find Pat chiming in on the Phillies Nation Facebook or Twitter account, weekdays on 97.3 ESPN radio or hosting Phillies Nation TV. He’s also a Senior Writer for the site, and in his free time is a music enthusiast and Will Ferrell movie-follower. His favorite beer: Philly’s own Yards. In 2015, Pat moved on from Phillies Nation as a sports anchor and reporter for CBS-3 in Philadelphia.