Roy Oswalt Wants to Go to St. Louis, But Do the Pieces Fit?

With only eight days remaining before the trade deadline, it's looking more likely that this next week could be the last one Roy Oswalt spends pitching in a Houston Astros uniform. Sources have already told FanHouse that the Phillies have engaged in talks with the Astros about trading for the pitcher, and Oswalt would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to move north to Philadelphia.

Though it seems the Phillies aren't his preferred destination.

A source who speaks to Oswalt told FanHouse that Oswalt has a definite preference, and that it appears to be the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinals have expressed an interest in Oswalt as well, so a deal for the Astros ace that would put him in a rotation that already features Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright looks possible.

Still, even if the Cardinals want Oswalt, and Oswalt wants the Cardinals, there are potential problems in any deal.

Oswalt has made it clear that he wants to go to a team that is a lock for the postseason. While the Cardinals aren't a lock, as they're currently battling with the Reds for the NL Central title, they seem to be in better shape than the Phillies at the moment. What could be a bigger obstacle for the Cardinals, though, is that Oswalt reportedly wants his option picked up for 2012 before agreeing to any trade.

So the Cardinals would have to commit to paying him $16 million in 2011 and another $16 million in 2012.

Which means that if St. Louis did make the deal they'd have about $87 million tied up in Carpenter, Wainwright, Oswalt, Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina and Kyle Lohse to start next season. Considering their payroll for 2010 is just about $94 million, it seems they'd have to increase their payroll headed into next season.

And let's not forget that Albert Pujols' contract expires after 2011 as well.