MLB Trade Rumors: Roy Oswalt Not Going To Texas Rangers, So Where?

Good day to all of you baseball fans. We still have a little more than a month before Major League Baseball's trade deadline, and the rumors are flowing hot and heavily.

Not only are players moving, but you have Fredi Gonzalez getting fired in Florida because apparently no one is really good enough to manage the Marlins.

A few days ago we found out that the Texas Rangers were all but taken out of the Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee sweepstakes because a judge's ruling in court over the bankruptcy proceedings.

There's a ton going on, a lot of rumors to cover, players on the move, and so much more.

Who's going, who's staying, who's going to make the biggest splash, who will be winners and losers, and who will shock us all?

Let's get to it...

Roy Oswalt

We've started the last few rumor articles off with news on Roy Oswalt, so we may as well not break that trend now.

As I mentioned in the introduction slide, the Texas Rangers were said to be the front-runners to land Houston ace Roy Oswalt. But thanks to a judge's ruling in court on Tuesday afternoon, the Rangers can all but forget about making a move for Oswalt or any other big player for that matter.

Seems the Rangers will have to be happy to just stand pat. Though that seems to be working out quite well for them right now, as they won their 10th straight game on Wednesday night.

Other teams that will get in on the action will be the Dodgers, Angels, and Mets, and you know the Yankees and Red Sox will probably be mentioned in connection with Oswalt at some point.

Cliff Lee

There hasn't been much in the way of news surrounding Cliff Lee, though ESPN's Buster Olney reported yesterday that the Rangers could still make a deal for the left-hander if general manager Jon Daniels gets "creative."

Couple of problems with that idea.

1) The Rangers are going to have to give up two to three of their top prospects for Seattle to even take them seriously.

2) Cliff Lee isn't going to sign a long-term deal with the Rangers, so he'll move on to free agency, Texas will get a couple of compensatory draft picks, and the team will have made, in my opinion, a pointless move for a three-month rental.

Aubrey Huff

Aubrey Huff told John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle that he really doesn't want to be traded out of San Francisco.

When you see a quote like that, normally it's a sign that a player knows that it's entirely possible that he could be traded. However, based on the way Huff has played (.304/12/38) since being with the Giants, I don't know why he would be traded, especially since the Giants are still very much in the NL West race.

If the Giants do make him available which, again, is unlikely in my opinion, there are plenty of teams that would be interested in bringing him on board, especially those that need another bat in their lineup.

Adam Everett

Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports that the Boston Red Sox have interest in free-agent infielder Adam Everett, who was released by the Detroit Tigers.

Signing Everett would only cost Boston $220k, as Detroit would be responsible for the rest of his salary.

According to Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports, when Everett heard Boston's about interest in him he said, "I haven't heard that, but great team, great city, and it sounds interesting."

Bobby Valentine

Seems the Florida Marlins are wasting no time in finding a replacement for recently-fired Fredi Gonzalez.

Just 48 hours after the Marlins' manager, along with two other coaches, was fired by the organization, team officials are apparently moving fast on former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine.

The Orioles, who also have a managing vacancy, were also interested in Valentine, but according to ESPN's Tim Kurkjian, he is no longer interested in their coaching vacancy. He told Kurkjian, "At this time in my career, I feel I should direct my energies in another direction."

Buck Showalter

Speaking of the Baltimore Orioles managing vacancy, the team has narrowed their choices down to two candidates: former Rangers manager Buck Showalter and former Indians manager Eric Wedge.

Andy MacPhail and owner Peter Angelos met with Showalter for several hours on Wednesday, according to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli. Wedge is also expected to receive a second interview, though it has yet to be scheduled.

Also expected to interview for the job is MASN broadcaster and former Oriole Rick Dempsey.

Ty Wigginton

We've already talked about teams being interested in Ty Wigginton and that he could be on the move before the deadline.

However, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that the Orioles are asking teams for a young shortstop prospect in return.

That might scare a lot of teams off, but there might be one or two that are desperate enough at the deadline to make the move.

The Rockies were said to be one of the teams that was interested in acquiring Wigginton, especially after losing shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to a broken wrist.

At this point, though, they'll go with Clint Barmes and Jonathan Herrera to do the job.

Ben Sheets

There were a lot of people who thought that Oakland would surely move Ben Sheets before this season's trade deadline if the team fell out of contention.

However, it seems just the opposite may take place, as Oakland has expressed interest in keeping the right-hander through the rest of this season.

Though there will be a few teams in need of pitching that will come calling, it's unlikely the A's will move him unless they get a few mid-level prospects back in return.

Prince Fielder

There are a few teams that could be in need of a power-hitting first baseman before the trade deadline, and Prince Fielder could definitely fit the mold.

Fielder isn't the only first baseman who has had his name make the rounds on the rumors sheets. Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee and White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko had also been rumored to be on the move.

While the Giants would love to add Prince Fielder to their roster, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim might have the bigger need at first base after the loss of Kendry Morales.

They might have the more attractive pieces to move, and he might be the one piece that could get them back in the race with the Rangers.

Corey Hart

Prince Fielder isn't the only Milwaukee Brewer that will be on the trading block at the deadline.

Outfielder Corey Hart could also be dealt but has made it known that he would like to remain in Milwaukee.

One landing spot could be the San Diego Padres, who are in need of another bat in the lineup, especially in the outfield. The two teams could come together on a deal, as the Brewers would love to land Padres closer Heath Bell, which would reunite Bell with another former Padres closer Trevor Hoffman.