MLB Free Agents 2012: Why the Boston Red Sox Are Better off Without Roy Oswalt

The Roy Oswalt sweepstakes continues. 

The three-time All-Star still has not decided what team he’ll be playing for in 2012, though many suspect that the choice is between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Boston Red Sox. 

The Cardinals do not seem to be a great fit for Oswalt because their starting rotation is already full and Oswalt probably won’t want to be a reliever.  So, by process of elimination, that leaves Boston as the favorite to land the former Phillies and Astros ace. 

Boston might be leading the race for Oswalt’s services, but the truth is, they’d be better off without him.  Here are a few reasons why the Sox should not worry if Oswalt signs somewhere else:

They Have Daniel Bard and Alfredo Aceves

With John Lackey out for the season (Tommy John surgery) and Daisuke Matsuzaka set to miss a good chunk of the year as well (also Tommy John surgery), Boston will likely turn to Daniel Bard and Alfredo Aceves to fill out the starting rotation. 

Bard throws in the high 90s and has been a lights-out setup man for the past two seasons.  All Aceves did last season was post a 2.61 ERA and win 10 games as Boston's long-relief man. 

Given that Lackey and Tim Wakefield were Boston’s fourth and fifth starters for most of last season, things could be a lot worse.

Oswalt Does Not Want to Be in Boston

Oswalt has made it clear from the start that he wants to pitch close to his home in Mississippi.

The Red Sox have always seemed like a distant second or third option for Oswalt, and if he’s not happy to be in Boston, the Red Sox should not want him.  After all that went on in September last year, the last thing the Sox need is another bad attitude in the clubhouse.

He’s Old

And injury-prone. 

At age 34, Oswalt recorded the second-worst ERA of his 11-year career last season.  Oswalt has all of the symptoms of a pitcher approaching the end of his career. 

The Red Sox have tried this act before with tired stars like John Smoltz, Bartolo Colon and Brad Penny, and it’s never worked.  It wouldn't work this time, either.

The Price Isn't Right

With a payroll already above $150 million, Boston should be looking to cut costs—not add them—especially if the Sox are serious about keeping Jacoby Ellsbury (who may be due a big payday as he approaches free agency in 2014) beyond this season.

Clay Buchholz Is Healthy

Boston’s pitching woes began when Buchholz got injured last June. 

Buchholz’s back is healthy again, meaning he should be back to his 2010 form (17-7, 2.33 ERA) this season.

Josh Beckett and Jon Lester Have Something to Prove

Most of the sports world has moved past Boston’s disastrous chicken and beer fiasco at the end of last season.  Josh Beckett and Jon Lester haven’t, though. 

Both players have already reported to spring training (camp doesn’t start for another few days) and are determined to win back Sox fans still incensed over how last season ended. 

Sox fans should not worry about Boston’s front of the rotation this season: Lester and Beckett look more focused than ever.