And the shoe drops

Roy Oswalt wants out.

McTaggart:
Astros general manager Ed Wade acknowledged Friday that Oswalt's agent, Bob Garber, called owner Drayton McLane this week and requested that the three-time All-Star be traded. Oswalt has a no-trade clause, but he has previously said he would be willing to waive it to be traded to a contender.

Run-DMc:
"He didn't say we demand we trade him. He said, 'I'd like to you to think about it or consider it.' He didn't say Roy wanted to be traded or demanded it. He said, 'Why don't you think about that?' That was several days ago, and there has been absolutely no activity by myself, Ed or anyone else with the Houston Astros."

Wade:
"I just want to acknowledge the request has been made, but it really doesn't change anything on our end. We want to win with the guys who are here. And if, at some point in time, we feel it's appropriate to explore other possibilities, we'll do that. I'll maintain my policy to not talk about trades. We want to win with Roy here, but if at some point in time we feel it's appropriate to move in a different direction, we'll explore that. I'm going to put my tongue in my cheek again and say Roy's contract includes a no-trade clause, not a trade-me clause. There is no rule that allows a player in his contract status to demand a trade. Demand, request, hold your breath till you turn blue. It's all the same. It's acknowledged. Obviously, if Roy wants to be traded somewhere, he has a no-trade clause in his contract and would have some say in the final destination. Some say, not the complete say."

Blum:
"I don't know how these things work because I've never been in position to ask for a trade. But I'm sure he's got a lot of reasons why he's saying what he's saying and asking for what Roy asked for. As of right now I'm an Astro, and I want to be an Astro, so I'm going to play my heart out for the Astros."

(Ed Note: Whoa.)

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

Fallas notes that:
Oswalt did not make himself available pregame but did release a “no comment” through Astros spokeswoman Sally Gunter.

So this is a public acknowledgement of something we already knew, but it doesn't make it sting any less. With Roy five wins from the franchise lead (139, Dierker has 144), I would be very surprised if he became the franchise leader.