Report: Roy Oswalt Discouraged Red Sox From Bidding on Him

by Matthew Fairburn on Tue, May 29, 2012 at 9:16PM

Roy Oswalt‘s lengthy free agency came to a close on Tueday afternoon. The veteran starter agreed to terms with the Texas Rangers on a contract worth $5 million guaranteed.

The Red Sox were among the teams interested in Oswalt, but it turns out that they may not have ever had a chance in the bidding war.

Oswalt, who had geographic interests at heart and a great connection with Nolan Ryan, discouraged the Red Sox and other teams from bidding on him, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman.

Boston’s starting rotation has been inconsistent and banged up this season, but $5 million is a hefty price to pay for a guy who will need to be eased into action and has plenty of mileage on him.

The rich certainly get richer, as Texas further solidified itself as the favorites in the American League, but the Red Sox didn’t have much of a choice in the matter.