Scott Carson

Stats man Scott Carson is now in his 18th season as "third man in the booth" during Blue Jays telecasts.

Could Roy Oswalt be on the move?

With several MLB teams in buying and selling mode, we could see some big names on the move.

Four days until the non-waiver trade deadline and all that is going on is a big ol' bucket of nothing. That's on the surface, of course.

There is actually a lot of activity going on, especially after Cliff Lee was sent to the Rangers, Alex Gonzalez to the Braves, and Dan Haren to the Angels. Plus, don't believe for a minute that the 4 p.m. deadline on Saturday will keep teams from trying to move big names -- with big contracts -- through the month of August. It's a little tougher to do once putting players on waivers comes into the equation but not impossible. Many teams pass on the more expensive players because they aren't willing to take on significant payroll going forward.

Here's where we currently sit.

The one team that looks like they are going to be a major player is the Texas Rangers, even after already adding Lee (for a parcel of prospects) and catcher Bengie Molina. The A.L. West is there for the taking. They are looking to make a significant upgrade at first after sending Justin Smoak to the Mariners for Lee and having finally come to the realization that Chris Davis and his massive strikeout numbers are not the answer for a team clawing towards the playoffs.

The one interesting name out there is Cubs slugger Derrek Lee, in the final year of a five-year, $65-million deal with the dysfunctional and under-achieving Cubs. The Rangers' prospect cupboard is getting thin, but if they could land Lee and drop his big bat in amongst Josh Hamilton and Vladimir Guerrero, this line-up would become a beast to have to navigate through. And with Roy Oswalt on the block in Houston and sending out signals that he'd be thrilled to move to the East Coast, the Rangers would be a perfect place for the 10-year veteran.

Unfortunately, the Rangers -- currently embroiled in bankruptcy court and an auction for the club set to take place on August 4th -- adding payroll, which will clearly have to take place in order to land Oswalt (still owed $16 million in 2011 and an option for the same amount in '12), isn't likely to happen. If Oswalt can handle being a rent-a-player, then this deal might happen.

Oswalt is also clearly in the sights of several teams with the Cardinals, Phillies, Mets, Tigers and Dodgers the most mentioned. And don't think that the Yankees aren't lying in the weeds on this one with Andy Pettitte out until at least the middle of August with a groin strain and A.J. Burnett's mental state always a concern.

The Cardinals are one of the few teams with the financial wherewithal to take on Oswalt's salary and adding a third "ace" atop their rotation with Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright might make them unbeatable. But talking on that much salary with superstar 1B Albert Pujols looking to re-up next season for a significant raise might be too much for this franchise to handle long-term.

The Phillies are also in the middle of all trade talks but may lack the prospects needed after their dealings this past off-season and Oswalt has indicated in the blogosphere that he isn't that enamoured with pitching in Philly.

Detroit would love to add a pitcher of Oswalt's ilk, but have bigger problems on the other side of the ball. Injuries to Brandon Inge, Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Gullien have decimated their everyday line-up as they try and stay within striking distance of the front-running White Sox and Twins. The Tigers are reportedly ready to put the full-court press on to land Nationals slugger Adam Dunn. The White Sox also have their eye on Dunn and have been rumoured for over a week to be in on a three-way deal also involving the Diamondbacks and starter Edwin Jackson. The rumour has Jackson going to the Nationals, Dunn to the White Sox and the D'Backs getting a parcel of prospects from the other two teams.

The Yankees appear to be most interested in Blue Jays set-up man Scott Downs as they try and get their bullpen in order between their starters and closer Mariano Rivera. Their patience with over-hyped starter/8th inning reliever Joba Chamberlain has worn thin, and with situational lefty Damaso Marte on the DL, Downs seems like the perfect fit. What the Yankees could send Toronto's way, rumoured to be two prospects, remains to be revealed but rookie GM Alex Anthopoulos holds the trump card in this deal.

Also keep an eye on the Twins and Royals. Minnesota closer Jon Rauch has struggled mightily of late and KC's Joakim Soria would provide a significant upgrade. But at what cost?

More questions than answers as the trade deadline clock starts to tick a little louder. Stay tuned ...