Nationals Interested In Roy Oswalt

The Washington Nationals reportedly have interest in signing free-agent starter Roy Oswalt, according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com.

Last winter the Nationals made a strong charge for a top-of-the-rotation starter. The team was reportedly in the mix to sign then free-agent Cliff Lee until the very end, and also had a trade in place to acquire starter Zack Greinke from the Kansas City Royals before the right-hander nixed the deal. Oswalt could potentially fill such a role in 2012 for a rotation that should, for the first time, feature a healthy Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, and Chien-Ming Wang.

Oswalt, 34, had his option declined by the Philadelphia Phillies last week making him a free-agent.  As a result, the three-time All-Star received a $2 million buyout instead of $16 million in salary over the course of 2012.