Roy Oswalt wants out, asks Astros to trade him

[May 22, 2010]  HOUSTON (AP) -- Astros ace Roy Oswalt wants out of Houston.

General manager Ed Wade said Oswalt's agent, Bob Garber, contacted owner Drayton McLane earlier this week to make the request. When asked if it was a request or a demand, Wade said that distinction didn't matter.

"Roy's contract has a no-trade clause, not a trade-me clause," Wade said. "There is no rule that allows a player in his contract status to demand a trade. So demand, request, hold your breath until you turn blue, it's all the same. It's acknowledged and noted."

The 32-year-old Oswalt recently said he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause.

Wade said he wants to win with Oswalt on the Astros. Houston went into Friday night's game against Tampa Bay with the worst record in the National League at 14-27.

McLane said the call came a few days ago and that there has been no movement by anyone in the organization since then. That doesn't mean the team won't consider the request in the future.

"I always consider everything that would make the Houston Astros better," McLane said. "So we'll certainly look at that, but we'll look at a number of other things also."

Oswalt has made nine straight quality starts to open the season but is 2-6 with a 2.66 ERA. He has gotten the lowest run support in the league.

McLane said he's been around long enough that nothing surprises him and that he wasn't disappointed by Oswalt's request.

"No. Roy is like I am," he said. "Do I want to win? Do I want to be a champion? Absolutely. And they want to win. So they want to know which direction we're headed and that's something we've got to consider ... we have not played well and that raises questions."

Astros manger Brad Mills learned of the situation less than two hours before Friday's game. He doesn't think it will take way from the team's focus.

"I hadn't even considered that," he said. "I don't think it should be a distraction at all. The guys are going to go out and play. They still have to perform. We're professionals in how we go about our business and everything else."

A team official said Oswalt had no comment on the matter before Friday's game.

Teammate Lance Berkman, who too has said he'd be open to waiving his no-trade clause in recent weeks, didn't want to discuss Oswalt's request.

"That's his deal," Berkman said. "I really don't have anything to say."

[Associated Press; By KRISTIE RIEKEN]

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