The Roy Oswalt Trade Benefits Both the Astros and Phillies

Every year, there’s always one move around the trade deadline that affects the rest of the MLB season or even the playoffs.

Much like last year when the Phillies acquired Cliff Lee in July, they made a move for this year’s best available pitcher: Roy Oswalt.

Adding Oswalt to a rotation with Cole Hamels and Roy Halladay means the Phillies have the best rotation in the Nation League. Despite being currently 2.5 games behind games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, they are now the team to beat in the NL.

This trade turned the Phillies from a team who could miss the playoffs to a team that could make it to their third straight World Series.

But this is a good deal for the Houston Astros, too. Being 17 games under .500, it’s obvious that they need to move on without Oswalt’s $16 million contract.

They were able to add J.A. Happ and two minor leaguers that can help them rebuild during the offseason.

While the immediate results may not prove it, over the long run this deal can help both teams out equally. The Phillies have a great chance of getting in the playoffs, and are  talented enough to win a seven game series with Halladay, Hamels, and Oswalt at the top of their rotation.

As for the Astros, the rebuilding process has now started. The question is, how long will Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee be in Houston?

Only time will tell.

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