Roy's may not require the Cardinals to pick up his 2012 option

Late night report with Brian McTaggart and Matthew H. Leach on the ongoing saga of Roy Oswalt, and we even see a rumor that Roy would not require his 2012 option to be picked up if he's traded to the Cardinals - something I bet the Phillies aren't real happy to see. And something that kind of blows my "Roy doesn't know what's going on with his option/Bob Garber is a douchebag" theory.

Apparently the Cardinals are willing to dangle top pitching prospect (albeit at Low-A) Shelby Miller as trade bait:
The Cards' most compelling potential trading chip for most teams would seem to be 2009 first-round Draft pick Shelby Miller, a right-hander who has been on a roll lately at low Class A Quad Cities. Farm director Jeff Luhnow was given the opportunity on Wednesday to classify Miller as untouchable, but declined to do so. He said the right-hander quite surely would not be moved for a two-month rental player, but that for a longer-term upgrade, any and all prospects could conceivably be in play.

Miller was the Cardinals' 1st round pick (19th overall), and is a 19-year old RHP from Brownwood, Texas. He has 81 strikeouts in 57.1IP with a 4.40 ERA/1.34 WHIP.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Joe Strauss seconds the rumor that Roy is willing to work with the Cardinals about that pesky $16 million option:
Oswalt lists the Cardinals among his preferred landing spots. He has also told acquaintances with ties to the club that he would be willing to be more flexible regarding his 2012 option. As rumor of the Cardinals' interest in Oswalt spread Wednesday night, several players embraced the potential move.

Who does Strauss see as return pieces for the Astros?
The Cardinals suddenly possess a surplus of outfielders when Ryan Ludwick (calf strain) returns from a rehab assignment. Jon Jay and Allen Craig have been particularly impressive in Ludwick's absence. With Holliday and center fielder Colby Rasmus entrenched in the team's plans and Ludwick under control through next season, the club could include one of its younger outfielders in a deal with young pitching.

After having a night to think about it, I still hate the idea of seeing Roy in a Cardinals jersey for the next year and a half.