Roy Oswalt, one of the greatest pitchers to wear an Astros uniform, is headed to the Philadelphia Phillies.
The two-time defending National League champion Phillies are 54-46 and trail the Braves by 3 1/2 games in the NL East. By adding Oswalt, they bolstered a pitching staff, which boasts Roy Halladay, that's ranked seventh in the NL with a 3.99 ERA.
Oswalt told the Astros on Thursday afternoon he would waive his no-trade clause in order to approve a trade to the two-time defending National League champions, a person close to the negotiations told MLB.com.
The two sides were working the final details of the deal, which is expected to be announced today.
Oswalt told MLB.com he would start for the Phillies against the Nationals in Washington at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday.
The Astros and Phillies reached a deal on Wednesday night to send Oswalt to the Phillies if the pitcher agreed to waive his no-trade clause.
Left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ and Minor League outfielder Anthony Gose and shortstop Jonathan Villar are expected to come to the Astros, who are also expected to pay a portion of Oswalt's contract.
Oswalt is owed about $5 million more this year and is due to make $16 million next season in the last year of his contract, but there's a club option for 2012 that would pay him another $16 million.
Oswalt is 6-12 with a 3.42 ERA, but he has received some of the worst run support in the league.
He has 143 wins and needed just one more victory to tie Joe Niekro for first place on the club's all-time list.
For further analysis of the Oswalt trade go to The Oswalt Trade and Its Impact On The Braves
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Source: MLB.com