Money Demands Stall Oswalt Trade Talks

It looks like contract demands could keep Roy Oswalt from joining the Philadelphia Phillies in the near future, according to multiple reports.

Oswalt, 32, told reporters last night very little about his situation with the Houston Astros.

"I don't handle that part of it," Oswalt said about trade negotiations.

But what is keeping Oswalt from being traded to the Phillies is the demand that a $16 million option be guaranteed for 2012.

Oswalt is already set to make $16 million in 2011.

The Phillies have always said they have a budget for player salaries and offered Roy Halladay a three-year contract.

For now, the team will look at other options, like Ted Lilly or Ben Sheets, as they ponder how to afford Oswalt or Dan Haren.

Multyiple reports have the Phillies in serious talks to get Oswalt from Houston in a deal that may include Jayson Werth. The Phillies would trade Werth to another team and send prospects to Houston.

Current Phillies GM Ruben Amaro has 10 days to pull off a trade, with the Phillies now down to three starting pitchers.

Former Phillies GM Ed Wade has that job in Houston now and he is familiar with the Phillies farm system.

Domonic Brown, currently the top-rated prospect in minor league baseball, would replace Werth in right field.

But with the Phillies falling fast in the pennant race, the window is closing for a big trade, especially if teams want prospects from the Phillies for players with big contracts.