MLB Trade Rumors: Roy Oswalt Talks with Cardinals, Astros Are Very Real

Update: (1:50pm CDT) SI.com's Jon Heyman, via Twitter, reports that the Cardinals want the Astros to pick up a significant portion of the $25 million left on Oswalt's contract.

Looks like the Phillies could still be in the running if the Astros balk at the Cardinals demands.

Almost 48 hours ago, it looked like Houston Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt was headed to the Philadelphia Phillies and the City of Brotherly Love.

It seemed the two teams were moving fast on a deal and the Astros even had scouts sent out to watch Phillies Triple-A pitcher J.A. Happ, indicating that Happ was going to be part of the deal.

Then, Wednesday afternoon rolled around and Oswalt seemingly put the brakes on the deal when he told the Astros that he would require any team trading for him to pick up his $16 million option for the 2012 season. So not only would a team be on the hook for his remaining $5 million this season, but also $32 million over the next two seasons.

Well, fast forward to Thursday morning and those demands have come way down and for only one reason, the St. Louis Cardinals have gotten involved and the two sides are apparently "very serious" about getting a deal done. Landing Oswalt would definitely make the Cardinals a World Series favorite this season.

While a deal isn't imminent at this point, the two sides could have something close to a deal in the next few days, depending on who the Astros are wanting in return.

Personally, it surprises me that the Astros are willing to trade him to another team in the same division knowing that they'll have to see him quite a few times in the next two seasons.

We'll get any updates up on this article as soon as they become available. Stay tuned...