Roy Oswalt's asking price cools interest from Phillies, Red Sox, Rangers

Roy Oswalt's asking price is leaving interested teams like the Phillies, Rangers and Red Sox balking at signing him. (Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Multiple teams remain interested in signing free-agent pitcher Roy Oswalt — including the Phillies, Red Sox and Rangers — but they are balking at his asking price, reports Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

Oswalt has thrown for four teams in the past two weeks, Rosenthal reports, signaling how much he wants to return to the majors. But though teams are intrigued, they remain turned off by his asking price. One executive Rosenthal spoke to said that price is "always high." Another source said it was $7.5 million, which turned the Dodgers away. Oswalt had hoped to begin pitching this season by June 15.

Meanwhile, CBS' Jon Heyman reports that a surprise team like the Orioles could swoop in if the price is right. Heyman points to Texas as the most logical fit. He wonders, though, whether the Phillies could be more in play after Roy Halladay left Sunday's game with shoulder soreness.

Oswalt declined the Tigers' $10 million offer during his first round of free agency, and he said he would wait until the season to sign with a team. Considering his original target of June 15, though, he will likely push to sign soon.