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Executives from multiple teams complained they had no idea the Astros were willing to include $11 million of the $23.5 million owed Oswalt


Well, well, well:

Executives from multiple teams complained they had no idea the Astros were willing to include $11 million of the $23.5 million owed Oswalt through next year and his 2012 option as they did to move him to the Phillies. The Yankees were not told at all how much the Astros would eat. The Mets were told that Houston would take "some money," but nowhere near $11 million, and were never given an exact amount. Of course, the likelihood is the Astros would never have agreed to pay one penny to the Yankees or probably the Mets either; and it is possible Oswalt might not have agreed to go to New York.

But an executive of a team interested in starting pitching said, "I don't know how we didn't know [what Houston was willing to pay]. I don't know how it is in the best interest of your organization not to explore every avenue. We knew the pitcher [Oswalt] was available, but we didn't know it was a financial giveaway."

Astros GM Ed Wade had been the Phillies GM from 1998-2005 and was clearly comfortable dealing with his former boss, Philadelphia team president Dave Montgomery, and an organization he knows well. Wade's biggest trade before yesterday since becoming Houston GM after the 2007 season was his first deal in which he sent Brad Lidge to the Phillies for three players, including Michael Bourn.



Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/landing_of_os_HLEr37apKvXd2gmfSTMOJI#ixzz0vCSO1gcz