The Cardinals' search for pitching depth has returned them to free agent righthander Roy Oswalt despite the club's persistent denials that it is actively pursuing its longtime nemesis.
The Cardinals are among a handful of teams that have extended a short-term bid to the former Houston Astros ace, who in recent years repeatedly has expressed a desire to play in St. Louis.
Oswalt, 34, is believed close to a decision. The Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and Astros are also reported to be pursuing the three-time All-Star, who carries a career 153-93 record and 3.21 ERA. Oswalt has been plagued by back problems that have limited him to 43 starts the past two seasons but remained effective enough to provide the Philadelphia Phillies with 16 wins and a 2.96 ERA in 221 2/3 innings covering 35 starts since being traded in July 2010.
Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak has played down any pursuit of a veteran starting pitcher since the Cardinals' involvement in trade discussions including Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook became known during December's winter meetings. Mozeliak has suggested the club is now more inclined to add a veteran presence to its bullpen, something Oswalt's addition could bring.
Lohse and Westbrook are entering the final installment of multi-year deals that include full no-trade protection. Signing Oswalt could lead to a competition among three starters for two starting berths during spring training or possibly entice one of the club's incumbent starters to waive his no-trade protection.
MLB Network described the Cardinals as front-runners for Oswalt on Friday night. Mozeliak, who traveled Friday to the West Coast, offered no comment.
The defending World Series champions are very familiar with the Mississippi native. Oswalt was named MVP of the 2005 NLCS in which he twice defeated the Redbirds. Oswalt carries a misleading 10-9 career record against the Cardinals built with a 3.19 ERA.
The Cardinals extended a bid of about $5 million to Oswalt earlier this month, according to sources familiar with the situation, but apparently failed to match the Rangers' bid, which also included numerous appearance incentives.
The Cardinals' abundance of righthanded relievers has made Kyle McClellan a potential trade candidate after he divided last season between the rotation and set-up relief. McClellan recently avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.5 million contract.
Lohse is due $11.9 million this season while Westbrook is scheduled to earn $8.5 million plus a $1 million buyout should the Cardinals decline an $8.5 million option for 2013.
As recently as this month's Winter Warm-Up, Mozeliak distanced himself from a pursuit of Oswalt. However, the Cardinals apparently made their bid for Oswalt after last month's signing of outfielder Carlos Beltran to a two-year, $26 million contract.
The Cardinals allowed free agent reliever Brad Lidge to sign a discounted one-year, $1 million deal with the Washington Nationals though the former Astros and Phillies closer appeared to neatly fit their description of a veteran with experience closing who could offer both late-inning support and a positive clubhouse presence. Bypassing such an opportunity suggested the club was probably engaged elsewhere.
