According to Marc Carig of the Newark Star-Ledger, Yankees GM Brian Cashman has already made contact with the representative for free agents Roy Oswalt and C.J. Wilson. The interest in Wilson comes as no surprise, but reports last week stated that the Yankees were too concerned about Oswalt's chronic back problems to make any kind of play for the veteran right-hander. "I'm in the process of talking with everybody," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "That's the way the routine works." Oswalt and Wilson share an agent.

Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports that the Nationals are interested in free agent Roy Oswalt. The Nats just re-signed Chien-Ming Wang but are continuing to look for ways to upgrade their rotation. "The type of pitcher we are looking for is a good leader-type of guy that throws a lot of innings, has shown that he can win in the big leagues and really lead our staff," GM Mike Rizzo said. "It's not by having the best stuff on the staff, but showing how to be a professional, how to be a winner, how to pitch 200 innings in a season many, many times in a career. That's kind of the guy we are looking for." Rizzo sounds like he's describing Mark Buehrle more so than Oswalt, but either would make a nice addition alongside Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann.

Roy Oswalt's agent, Bob Garber, told Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com that the veteran pitcher wants to sign a long-term deal this offseason. It's not surprising for someone of Oswalt's age to seek the security of a multi-year contract. The question is whether a team will take a long-term view of a 34-year-old pitcher whose lower back problems are not going away.

According to Wallace Matthews of ESPN New York, the Yankees are "very worried" about Roy Oswalt's history of lower back problems. Oswalt has two degenerative disks in his lower back and while he has never had surgery, he has received numerous cortisone shots in recent seasons. The Yankees are expected to make a play for a starting pitcher this winter, but if Matthews' source can be believed, it's unlikely they will take a chance on the veteran right-hander.

Phillies declined RHP Roy Oswalt's $16 million option for 2012. An expected move, Oswalt will receive a $2 million buyout. The 34-year-old right-hander was limited to just 23 starts this season due to a back injury, but still posted a 3.69 ERA and 93/39 K/BB ratio over 139 innings. The Phillies remain interested in bringing him back at a lesser salary.

Roy Oswalt was unable to hold a lead against the Cardinals Wednesday, giving up five runs on six hits and a walk over six inning in the Game 4 NLDS loss. Oswalt was spotted a two-run lead before he even toed the runner, but he then gave up a run in the bottom of the first inning and two runs each in the fourth and sixth. David Freese was Oswalt's nemesis, driving in four of the five runs and taking the veteran deep in the sixth inning. If the Phillies advance, Oswalt should get Game 4 of the NLCS.

Roy Oswalt will start Game 4 of the NLDS against the Cardinals no matter the result of Game 3. There was some thought that the Phillies might go back to Roy Halladay on short rest if the Cards pull ahead 2-1 in the five-game series Tuesday evening in St. Louis. But Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel shot down that idea a couple of hours before first pitch. Oswalt posted a cool 3.69 ERA during the regular season despite a back injury.

Roy Oswalt held the Braves down Tuesday, spinning six shutout innings while allowing just three hits and a walk in the 7-1 win. He struck out four. Oswalt could have gone deeper into the game, having thrown only 85 pitches, but there was no need for the Phillies to push him. He winds up with a 9-10 record on the season but posted a solid 3.69 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. Oswalt is expected to be the team's No. 4 starter in the playoffs and will be a free agent following the season.

Roy Oswalt's agent, Bob Garber, said his client is no longer considering retirement. In spring training, Oswalt, 33, said he would "play this year and see how it goes," and after his midseason back woes, the righty wondered aloud whether he was done pitching. But, he's been healthy for a couple months now and Garber says he's rejuvenated. "There's been a rebirth," Garber said. "There's been talk in the past about retiring, but that's not even in the cards at this point. It's a different Roy. It's a different feeling for him right now. He's enjoying the game right now like he used to when he was younger. He's definitely not retiring." The Phillies have a $16 million option on Oswalt for 2012, which they're not expected to pick up.

Roy Oswalt was lit up by the Nationals Thursday, giving up six runs on seven hits and two walks over 7 2/3 innings. Oswalt was doing alright until the eighth, when a Roger Bernadina RBI double and then a three-run jack from Mike Morse chased him. The veteran righty was coming off a strong start against the Cardinals, but he's been hit-or-miss lately, having allowed five or more runs in three of his last six outings. He'll take a 3.86 ERA and 1.37 WHIP into his final start of the regular season next week, which will come against the Braves.