ESPN's Jim Bowden reports the Angels are "suddenly the front-runner" for free agent Roy Oswalt. The Red Sox ''remain in the picture,'' while the Rangers and Cardinals are no longer considered realistic destinations. Oswalt announced last month that he plans to stay in shape and return by midseason. He would presumably secure the final spot in the Angels' rotation in favor of Garrett Richards and Jerome Williams.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox could "put on a full-court press" for Roy Oswalt late in spring training if they decide that they need to add a starter. At the moment, the Sox are planning on having Daniel Bard and one of Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Miller, Vicente Padilla, Carlos Silva and Aaron Cook at the back-end of their rotation. But, plans could certainly change if that group struggles in spring training. Oswalt's agent has indicated that the veteran doesn't plan on pitching for anyone until midseason, and he's also seemed lukewarm to the idea of pitching in Boston. But, if the Red Sox would decide they really need him and go after him hard enough, he could change his mind.

Roy Oswalt's agent, Bob Garber, announced Thursday afternoon that the veteran right-hander will stay in shape in hopes of pitching for a contender later this season. Mystery solved. Oswalt didn't appear interested in pitching for the Tigers or Red Sox and he wasn't a great fit for either the Cardinals or Rangers, but a lot can change over the course of a couple of months. The 34-year-old was limited to just 23 starts last season due to back condition, so waiting to sign around midseason may actually be a smart strategy.

According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, Roy Oswalt has told major league teams that he may wait until midseason to sign with a team.

Roy Oswalt's agent, Bob Garber, confirmed to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com that the veteran right-hander will make an announcement regarding his future Thursday.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that Roy Oswalt will not sign with either the Red Sox or Rangers, "at least not now." This seems to jibe with a report by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Joe Strauss, who was told by a friend of Roy Oswalt that he "wouldn't be surprised" if the right-hander accepts the Cardinals' terms. Of course, Oswalt could also decide to sign with nobody right now and try again around midseason.

According to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com, Roy Oswalt will make an announcement on Thursday. The nature of the news isn't yet clear. Edes hears that the Red Sox aren't sure what he will do, though one source said they still have interest in him. Oswalt would reportedly prefer to pitch for the Cardinals or Rangers, but both teams already have full rotations and likely won't give him the contract he desires. Stay tuned.

According to Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, free agent Roy Oswalt "could make a decision" on where he'll play in 2012 on Thursday. It's difficult to predict where the right-hander is going to wind up. Oswalt expressed a desire to sign with either the Cardinals or Rangers earlier this offseason, but both teams have full rotations and no desire to spend big money on depth. The Red Sox are also known to have interest, but Oswalt turned them down.

Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that trading Koji Uehara to the Athletics could free up money for the Rangers to make a run at free agent right-hander Roy Oswalt. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com speculated that the Rangers would go after left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez with the money saved by dealing Uehara, but Wilson is hearing otherwise. It's well documented Oswalt would prefer to pitch for either the Rangers or the Cardinals in order to be closer to his home in Mississippi, but neither club looks like an easy fit. The Red Sox are also lingering in the background.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty told John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer that he hasn't had any contact with Roy Oswalt's agent over the past week. Jocketty was pretty adamant last week that the Reds weren't a player for Oswalt, so we'll have to take him at his word for now. Interestingly, while ESPN's Jayson Stark reported Friday that the Rangers were out of the mix, Jocketty seems to think otherwise. ƒ?oI think heƒ?Ts waiting for Texas to clear money,ƒ?? said Jocketty. The Cardinals and Red Sox remain in the mix for the veteran right-hander, but there's no clear favorite at the moment.