Oswalt to Phillies

As most of you have now heard, the Phillies acquired Roy Oswalt earlier today.  That makes them a better team and it will be interesting to what if any response comes from the Braves in the next couple days.

I was not really that surprised that the Phillies got Oswalt, what surprised me was how little they gave up.

They gave up J.A. Happ who is a decent pitcher but turns 28 later this year and becomes arb. eligible for 2011-2013.  Nothing against Happ but when he's healthy he's a decent number 3 starter but not much more and that's when he's healthy.

The Astros also got two minor league prospects in the deal; Anthony Gose and Jonathan Villar

Gose was the Phillies number 6 prospect and shortly after the trade the Astros sent him to Toronto for Brett Wallace.  Wallace who started out as a Cardinal 3B prospect was sent to Oakland as part of the Holliday deal and then sent to Toronto as part of the Lee trade from last off season.  Wallace who had to move to 1B because of defensive issues at 3B is the guy who will probably take over for Berkman next season if he doesn't get moved before the deadline.  Gose is a not yet 20 year old CF at A+.

Villar was the Phillies number 22 prospect and a guy who is said to have upside but is a long way away.  He is a 19 year old SS who is at A ball.

What's even more surprising is that the Astros didn't get much in return and sent $11M along with Oswalt to cover most of the $16M he's owed next season.  The deal hinged on Oswalt waiving his no trade clause which he did without forcing the Phillies to pick up his 2012 option for $16M.  All the Phillies did was raise the buyout $1M to $3M.

It seems to me that with the Astros eating that much salary why didn't more teams get involved.  Happ was the only major league ready player in the deal.

My question is if the Braves offered Medlen and our 6 and 22 prospects which are Mike Minor and David Hale would you have done the deal with the same financials.

I can tell you that I would have.