Two separate reports surfaced on Wednesday, one indicating that the Sox have made an offer to Roy Oswalt, while the other indicated that they made an offer to fellow free-agent Edwin Jackson. The latter, by ESPN's Jim Bowden, said that the Sox actually prefer Jackson over Oswalt.
It's unclear what either potential contract would entail, or who is more likely to land in Boston, but both starters are intriguing options for a team currently seeking help at the back end of its rotation. Beyond the top three of Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz, it's a bit unclear who will round out the rotation. Daniel Bard, Alfredo Aceves, Carlos Silva, Aaron Cook, Felix Doubront and Andrew Miller are among the hurlers vying for a chance to start for the BoSox in 2012.
Oswalt and Jackson are each unique in what they would potentially bring to the table, as both feature strengths but would carry some question marks into this season.
Oswalt battled injuries throughout 2011, which limited him to a 9-10 record and a 3.69 ERA in 23 starts for the Phillies. Prior to last season, however, Oswalt proved that he can still be a very effective starter.
The 34-year-old is a three-time All-Star and has finished in the top five for Cy Young voting on five separate occasions. He's won 20 games twice in his career, and is 159-93 with a 3.21 ERA in 339 games (326 starts) over the course of 11 big-league seasons, which includes a strong second half in 2010 upon being dealt to Philadelphia.
The main concern with Oswalt, however, is the injury bug, as some wonder whether back problems could limit his production as he reaches his mid 30s.
Jackson, who's just 28, was seeking a long-term deal this offseason, but the Scott Boras client has found that tough to come by. However, there's no doubt the talent is there.
Jackson finished last season at 12-9 with a 3.79 ERA overall. He began the season with the White Sox, before finishing the season with the World Series champion Cardinals. Upon being dealt to St. Louis, he went 5-2 with a 3.58 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) down the stretch.
In his career, the young righty is 60-60 with a 4.46 ERA over the course of nine big league seasons. He's proved to be an innings-eater, though, twirling 199 2/3 innings in 2011, and eclipsing the 200-inning mark in both 2009 and 2010.
Roy Oswalt photo (left) via Flickr/Matthew Straubmuller
Edwin Jackson photo (right) via Flickr/Todd Awbrey
Would you rather see Roy Oswalt or Edwin Jackson become a member of the Red Sox?
