MLB Free Agents 2012: Why Red Sox Should Sign Veteran Roy Oswalt

2011 saw the Boston Red Sox complete the biggest September collapse in MLB history.

With no consistency from their starting rotation, and team as a whole, the Red Sox will look to recover by bringing in a new free-agent pitcher.

Roy Oswalt would be the right fit for the Sox and could help erase the memory of two straight seasons without a playoff berth.

Adding Oswalt Is Adding Consistency

The back end of the Red Sox starting rotation was plagued by injuries and inconsistency last season.

Oswalt would be a consistent arm who's addition would add some much needed stability to Boston's rotation.

In 11 seasons, Oswalt has finished with an ERA over four only once. He has won 20 games twice and finished with 14 wins or more in seven of his seasons on the mound.

He is a proven winner from year to year and has the playoff experience necessary to pitch in Boston and help take the Sox back to the playoffs.

With two years in Philly, Oswalt understands the pressures of pitching in a big market.

Oswalt as Sox No. 3 Would Give Boston Best Rotation in Baseball

Having Roy Oswalt behind Jon Lester and Josh Beckett would give the Red Sox one of the best rotations in baseball. They could use the improvement as the Sox finished 22nd in the league in ERA.

The Red Sox would find themselves with something they didn't have all season long: Rotation depth.

Oswalt could be a No. 1 or No. 2 on a lot of teams in baseball. Having him as a No. 3 would be a huge advantage for Boston.

If Clay Bucholz can stay healthy and off the beers, the Red Sox would have arguably the best front-four in their rotation in the MLB. Not to mention, they won't have to depend on inept pitchers like John Lackey and Eric Bedard to contribute as much.

Oswalt's move from Philly to Boston would shift the power of the best starting rotation in baseball to the Red Sox.

Limit the Yankees Options

Like the Red Sox, the New York Yankees will be looking to add depth to their starting rotation this offseason. Nothing would please Boston more than to limit the Yanks options and make that a more difficult process.

There are two goals each offseason for these two rivals: Make better improvements than the other each year, and make it as difficult as possible for the other team to improve any way you can.

If the Sox can scoop up Oswalt, they will take an option away from the Bombers that would certainly improve their team.

Oswalt Could Be More Than a Year-Long Rental

If the Red Sox sign Oswalt, they can afford to give him more than a one-year deal. Oswalt is only 34 right now and will be 35 next August 29th.

It's not like he is retiring anytime soon and Oswalt still has the ability to make major contributions to the Red Sox rotation.

There isn't really much else out there. It will be tough to pry a top starter like C.J. Wilson from Texas, and the Sox already have their ace or aces if you want to count Josh Beckett as such.

Oswalt is the perfect fit to give the Sox depth and could do so for a few years until other options arise that are more long term.

Sometimes in the free agent market, you have to make due with what's there and this year will be no different for the Sox. There is no doubt in my mind the Sox would be doing the best they can with what's available and Oswalt would be a major upgrade from their current situation.