Philadelphia Phillies not to exercise options of Brad Lidge and Roy Oswalt – MLB News
The Philadelphia Phillies on Monday turned down the 2012 options for their players Brad Lidge and Roy Oswalt. Even though Oswalt’s option would have brought a considerably large sum of 16-million-dollars in the upcoming season, the Phillies decided not to
exercise it.
This, at a time when Oswalt could not give his best during the season whereby he continuously suffered from back problems, having had an ERA of 3.69 his record stayed at 9-10. The Phillies might have attached a lot of hopes to the player as the 2012 season
approaches.
Brad Lidge, on the other hand, would have brought a total of 12.5-million-dollars for the team had his option been exercised. But he too, was stayed. This, predictably, brings a 2-million-dollar buyout for Oswalt and 1.5-million-dollars for Brad Lidge now.
"We will remain in contact with representatives for both players about the possibility of bringing them back for the 2012 season," Phillies’ general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement.
Roy Oswalt, for the first time, will see the free-agent market. However, the player will first like to discover the possibilities and the incentives he may get for staying. It is important to remember that he was previously part of the Houston Astros when
he joined the Philadelphia Phillies.
With his back issue somewhat resolved, as the general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. stated, Oswalt will like to stay in the team.
"I'd love to play," he said just before the postseason. "I'll play for any team in the big leagues. ... I feel like I can compete. I still feel like I've got good enough stuff to compete."
The 34-year-old was previously reported to have weighed the possibility of retirement. However, as there is no huge problem due to his backache, he has cast off that prospect from his mind. It now remains to be seen how the players’ options are exercised
in the days to come.
It is obvious the Phillies are looking to the 2012 regular season and the fact they have not exercised the options of both Oswalt and Lidge is sending this message out loud.
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