ESPN's Jim Bowden reports the Angels are "suddenly the front-runner" for free agent Roy Oswalt.

The Red Sox ''remain in the picture,'' while the Rangers and Cardinals are no longer considered realistic destinations. Oswalt announced last month that he plans to stay in shape and return by midseason. He would presumably secure the final spot in the Angels' rotation in favor of Garrett Richards and Jerome Williams.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox could "put on a full-court press" for Roy Oswalt late in spring training if they decide that they need to add a starter.

At the moment, the Sox are planning on having Daniel Bard and one of Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Miller, Vicente Padilla, Carlos Silva and Aaron Cook at the back-end of their rotation. But, plans could certainly change if that group struggles in spring training. Oswalt's agent has indicated that the veteran doesn't plan on pitching for anyone until midseason, and he's also seemed lukewarm to the idea of pitching in Boston. But, if the Red Sox would decide they really need him and go after him hard enough, he could change his mind.

Roy Oswalt's agent, Bob Garber, announced Thursday afternoon that the veteran right-hander will stay in shape in hopes of pitching for a contender later this season.

Mystery solved. Oswalt didn't appear interested in pitching for the Tigers or Red Sox and he wasn't a great fit for either the Cardinals or Rangers, but a lot can change over the course of a couple of months. The 34-year-old was limited to just 23 starts last season due to back condition, so waiting to sign around midseason may actually be a smart strategy.

According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, Roy Oswalt has told major league teams that he may wait until midseason to sign with a team.

Roy Oswalt's agent, Bob Garber, confirmed to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com that the veteran right-hander will make an announcement regarding his future Thursday.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that Roy Oswalt will not sign with either the Red Sox or Rangers, "at least not now."

This seems to jibe with a report by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Joe Strauss, who was told by a friend of Roy Oswalt that he "wouldn't be surprised" if the right-hander accepts the Cardinals' terms. Of course, Oswalt could also decide to sign with nobody right now and try again around midseason.

According to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com, Roy Oswalt will make an announcement on Thursday.

The nature of the news isn't yet clear. Edes hears that the Red Sox aren't sure what he will do, though one source said they still have interest in him. Oswalt would reportedly prefer to pitch for the Cardinals or Rangers, but both teams already have full rotations and likely won't give him the contract he desires. Stay tuned.

According to Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, free agent Roy Oswalt "could make a decision" on where he'll play in 2012 on Thursday.

It's difficult to predict where the right-hander is going to wind up. Oswalt expressed a desire to sign with either the Cardinals or Rangers earlier this offseason, but both teams have full rotations and no desire to spend big money on depth. The Red Sox are also known to have interest, but Oswalt turned them down.

Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that trading Koji Uehara to the Athletics could free up money for the Rangers to make a run at free agent right-hander Roy Oswalt.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com speculated that the Rangers would go after left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez with the money saved by dealing Uehara, but Wilson is hearing otherwise. It's well documented Oswalt would prefer to pitch for either the Rangers or the Cardinals in order to be closer to his home in Mississippi, but neither club looks like an easy fit. The Red Sox are also lingering in the background.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty told John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer that he hasn't had any contact with Roy Oswalt's agent over the past week.

Jocketty was pretty adamant last week that the Reds weren't a player for Oswalt, so we'll have to take him at his word for now. Interestingly, while ESPN's Jayson Stark reported Friday that the Rangers were out of the mix, Jocketty seems to think otherwise. ƒ?oI think heƒ?Ts waiting for Texas to clear money,ƒ?? said Jocketty. The Cardinals and Red Sox remain in the mix for the veteran right-hander, but there's no clear favorite at the moment.

According to WEEI's Rob Bradford, there is still no traction between the Red Sox and Roy Oswalt.

The Rangers are also out of the mix and the Cardinals have made an offer but it's not to Oswalt's liking. The 34-year-old right-hander remains unsigned with just five days to go before the start of spring training. He posted a 3.69 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 93/33 K/BB ratio in 139 innings (23 starts) last season while battling back problems.

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com said on Baseball Tonight Friday that Roy Oswalt signing with the Rangers is "not gonna happen."

He also added that returning to Philadelphia is "not gonna happen" and that signing with the Reds "doesn't seem like it's going to happen." Stark thinks Oswalt's choices will come down to Boston, "where they have a clear need but he doesn't seem to want to play," and St. Louis, "where all his friends say he would love to be... but to do that, he has to do it on their terms." It's clear at this point that Oswalt's offseason hasn't gone as he'd hoped, and he's running out of time to pick a new home.

A source told Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald that there is "no sense of progress" between the Red Sox front office and free agent right-hander Roy Oswalt.

Oswalt is still aiming to sign with a competitive team in the Midwest to be close to his Mississippi home and northern Missouri farmland. He's said to prefer the Rangers or Cardinals, but neither team has made an attractive offer. The 34-year-old right-hander posted a 3.69 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 93/33 K/BB ratio across 139 innings (23 starts) last season while dealing with back issues. He's also drawn attention recently from the Phillies, who may be considering re-signing him.

Reds GM Walt Jocketty said Tuesday that he's had no recent discussions with Roy Oswalt's agent.

"It's all rumors," Jocketty told John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "I'm sick and tired of it. We've had no serious talks. We've had no contact with the player." Oswalt has expressed a desire to sign with either the Rangers or Cardinals to be close to his Mississippi home and northern Missouri farm, but both teams have full rotations. St. Louis did make an offer, but it reportedly fell well short of his $10 million asking price.

According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Pirates were "rebuffed" by Oswalt.

Biertempfel says the Bucs "were willing to jump into [the] bidding," but Oswalt quickly told them he had no interest in signing with them. The 34-year-old right-hander is hoping to join a contending team, like the Rangers or Cardinals. And perhaps the Reds. He posted a 3.69 ERA and 93/33 K/BB ratio across 139 innings last season while fighting back issues.

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak indicated to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that a Roy Oswalt deal is unlikely.

"We may not have the opportunity right now that somebody is looking for," Mozeliak said. "I don't see (us) making another significant move before spring training. I feel pretty good about the team we are going to take to Florida." Roy Oswalt has expressed interest in signing with St. Louis to be closer to his northern Missouri farm and Mississippi home, but the Cardinals seem content with their rotation of Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Jaime Garcia, Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook (with top pitching prospect Shelby Miller on the way).

WEEI's Rob Bradford reports that there is "no traction" for a deal between the Red Sox and Roy Oswalt.

It's difficult to envision where Oswalt might land at this point. He's said to prefer the Rangers or Cardinals, but both of those teams have loaded starting rotations and aren't inclined to overspend on a 34-year-old right-hander with chronic back problems. The Reds remain an option, but they may have to clear payroll in order to get something done. Oswalt is believed to be on the hunt for a one-year deal in the $8-$10 million range.

According to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, the Reds remain in talks with free agent Roy Oswalt.

Rosenthal was told over the weekend that the Reds had merely kicked the tires and weren't actively involved in talks, but that doesn't appear to be the case. While the 34-year-old right-hander would reportedly prefer to pitch for the Rangers or Cardinals, the Reds are willing to get creative to make a deal work, possibly similar to how Ryan Madson's new one-year, $8.5 million deal includes deferred money. Still, with Oswalt seeking a one-year deal in the range of $8-10 million, the Reds would need to move some payroll in order to sign him. According to Rosenthal, Homer Bailey is the most likely trade candidate. The Red Sox also remain interested in Oswalt.

While interested in free agent starter Roy Oswalt, the Reds would have to open up payroll space to have a chance at consummating a deal.

"We had discussions with them a while ago," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. "The last we heard he was going to Texas. That was on Monday. I don't know if that deal is still in place." Right now, Cincinnati has a deep and talented rotation that includes Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake and Homer Bailey. Aroldis Chapman is a wild card who could stay put in a premium set up role or shove an incumbent into a swing man role. John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquire writes that, "Bailey is the only one of the six who is a) tradeable and b) making much money ($2.425 million). He is also out of options." Bailey, 25, was 9-7 with 4.43 ERA last season and isn't a sure bet to be worse than Oswalt even in 2012. "If he doesn't sign," Jocketty said, "we'd take another look at it," but added that "it would be tough." We think Oswalt is a better fit elsewhere and will either end up with the Rangers or Cardinals on a one-

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Reds are not actively pursuing Roy Oswalt.

The Reds merely kicked the tires to get a feel for his asking price, which likely remains out of their range. Oswalt, 34, is thought to prefer to sign a contract with the Rangers or Cardinals. The Red Sox are also maintaining some level of interest.