Phillies and Astros agree to Oswalt deal, now just needs Oswalt's OK

After months of speculation, a deal has been agreed upon. Now all that's needed is Roy Oswalt's OK.

This morning, the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a deal that would send Astros' ace Oswalt to Philadelphia for pitcher J.A. Happ and two other minor leaguers.

At the beginning of the season, Oswalt, 32, demanded a trade to a contender. He grew tired of the Astros and their losing seasons, along with their weak commitment to winning. Now he may finally get his wish, but he has to OK the deal first. Oswalt, who is making $15 million this season, $16 million next season, and has a $16 million option for 2012, has a no-trade clause in his contract. Oswalt, who has stated his preference to stay in the National League, would join a resurgent Phillies team which has been slightly improving and has found themselves in second place in the NL East, just 3.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves. Oswalt has stated that he wants his option for 2012 picked up by the team that acquires him, a request that other teams are not willing to agree to. It'll be interesting if the Phillies pick up the option. The Astros will also be paying $12 million for Oswalt's contract in the deal. Oswalt is 6-12 with a 3.42 ERA for a terrible Astros' team this year. A lifelong Astro, it will definitely be tough for fans to part with this great pitcher.

The Phillies will send young 27 year-old lefty J.A. Happ and two other minor leaguers (one of which has been speculated to be righty Vance Worley) to Houston. Happ, who went 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA last season, has been highly regarded by the Phillies and would join the Astros' rotation immediately. Worley, another young pitcher, was 9-4 with a 3.20 at Double-AA this season before being called up for one game, and then being sent back down to Triple-AAA. The other player could be first baseman Jonathan Singleton. Singleton, 18, has been the target for the Astros all along. He's hitting .312 with 12 home runs and 57 RBIs in 70 games for Single-A since being drafted in the 8th round of the 2009 draft. While the other two players are speculation, Happ is definitely in the deal.

Commitment to winning? Check. Contending team? Check. High payroll team? Check. Everything seems to be in order and Oswalt seems the perfect fit for the Phillies. If he were to not waive his no-trade clause, it would make Oswalt look hypocritical. One can imagine that if acquired, Phillies' GM Ruben Amaro Jr. will have to answer questions as to why he did not keep the more affordable Cliff Lee, who he acquired at the deadline last season. When it all becomes official, I'll post everything.