The Astros and Phillies have reached an agreement on a Roy Oswalt trade, reports Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston.  Berman says the Astros are now waiting for Oswalt’s approval, having hammered out the players and money with the Phils.

After 10 seasons in Houston, Oswalt would jump from a team that’s 18 games under .500 to arguably the best team in the National League. A one-two-three combination of Halladay, Oswalt, and Hamels would be tough to overcome in the playoffs. We’ll see if this one works out. 

Update 7/29 12:04 PM:  Sources say Oswalt plans to accept trade to Phillies.

The 2009 postseason is finally here for Major League Baseball, and not without a little drama along the way.  The Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers battled it out in their 163rd game of the season creating an instant classic with the Twins coming out on top 6-5 in the 12th inning.

Rookie Rick Porcello pitched an outstanding 5 2/3 innings while giving up only 4 hits and 2 runs with only one of those being earned.  He also had 8 strikeouts in his short time on the mound.  Scott Baker took the mound for the Twins giving them 6 innings and giving up 3 earned runs.  Regardless of Porcello’s great start, the Twins bullpen proved to be a little stronger the rest of the night with the Tigers Zach Miner and Fernando Rodney giving up 2 runs a piece and Rodney giving up the winner in the 12th.

The celebration was short for the Twins with them taking on the powerful New York Yankees tonight in the American League Division Series.  Here are the matchups starting off the 2009 Major League Baseball Postseason.

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Colorado Rockies vs. Philadelphia Phillies - 10/7 - 2:37 PM ET

Ubaldo Jiminez will take the mound for the Colorado Rockies with the Phillies starting their result of a trade to the Cleveland Indians in Cliff Lee.  This should turn out to be a great series with the quiet Rockies going up against the defending World Champions in the Phillies.  Colorado has snuck up on the competition finishing the season at 92-70 while giving the Dodgers a run for their money in the National League West.

Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees - 10/7 - 6:07 PM ET

Brian Duensing will go up against the Yankees powerhouse in CC Sabathia tonight at the new Yankee Stadium.  The Twins put a rookie on the mound in Duensing who has shown he can throw well going 5-2 with a 3.64 ERA in 9 starts.  He did, however, face the Yankees earlier this year giving up 4 earned runs in 3 2/3 innings.  Sabathia comes in to tonight’s game coming off of an incredible first year with the Yankees, matching his career high in wins at 19 and posting a 3.37 ERA.  Sabathia takes a page from Alex Rodriguez when it comes to the postseason though, posting numbers that won’t help your team, especially in the postseason.  Sabathia has a 2-3 record with a 7.92 ERA in 4 series in the postseason.  If the Twins can come out of New York with a win tonight, it would make for a very interesting series and may make New York fans get a little nervous with the Twins coming in with the momentum from last night.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers - 10/7 - 9:37 PM ET

The St. Louis Cardinals will send their Cy Young hopeful to the mound tonight in Chris Carpenter who is coming off one of his best years.  Posting a 17-4 record and a 2.24 ERA, Carpenter’s only competition in the Cy Young race will be the defending champion in Tim Lincecum and his Cardinal teammate Adam Wainwright.  Cardinals pitching has been outstanding this year with 2 starters posting ERA’s below 3 and the team ERA being 3.66.  Randy Wolf will take the mound for the Dodgers and their NL leading 95-67 record over the 2009 season.  Wolf has had a good year with a 3.23 ERA.  That has not been reflected in the wins department for Wolf however, posting an 11-7 record in 34 starts in 2009.  Although the Dodgers have the best record in the National League, look for the Cardinals pitching to dominate in this series with St. Louis making a run at another World Championship with the best hitter in baseball and the great pitching to get them there.

Check out this playoff gear!

According to Ken Rosenthal, Indians starting pitcher and 2008 AL Cy Young winner Cliff Lee has been traded along with outfielder Ben Francisco to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for right-hander Jason Knapp, Class AAA right-hander Carlos Carrasco, shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson.

Ryan Howard got what he wanted. Phillies fans got what they hoped for. After inking a 3- year, $54 million dollar deal, the MVP first baseman will finally be paid what he’s worth. By locking down Howard, Ruben Amaro Jr. and the front office avoided what could have been a bitter arbitration war down the road.

It also puts Howard’s mind at ease. No more worrying whether he’d receive the long-term cash he’s been seeking since his 2006 MVP campaign. No more debate over the value of a power-hitting, strikeout prone offensive catalyst. Although they would never admit it, an in-the-dark contract situation does wear on a player’s mind and can hinder their on-field performance.

Howard’s deal solidifies the Phillies potent offensive lineup and most importantly secures their chances at not only defending their World Series title this season, but staying competitive for the next few years. Howard joins Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Cole Hamels to form the core of the Phillies present and future.

The willingness to spend money this off-season proves the front office isn’t satisfied with winning just one championship. There will be no Florida Marlins type fire sale in order to save dollars in these dire economic times. Of course, all this could change if the Phils finish twenty games below .500 in 2009. Sorry, but I am a Philadelphia fan; it’s difficult to shed the negativity and sense of impending doom.

Overall, things are looking up for the Phillies. In fact, since last October they couldn’t have gone smoother. No one got arrested or caught in a compromising position. Utley’s rehab from hip surgery is progressing nicely. Replacing Pat Burrell’s power won’t be easy, but Raul Ibanez brings a consistent bat that makes contact. The new season is nearly upon us. With Ryan Howard in place, the Phillies will be more than ready to play ball.

       It’s been nearly three months since the Fightin’ Phils captured that elusive World Series Championship and the city of brotherly love is winding down. The ticker-tape has stopped falling, there are no more parades, and Cole Hamels‘ Late Night television sojourn has come to a close.

 It is time to begin anew and turn towards the rapidly approaching 2009 baseball season. For the first time since 1981, the Phillies will trot onto the field opening day as the defending world champions of baseball. Ahh… I like the sound of that. Pitchers and catchers report in 20 days. So, let’s take a look at where the Phillies stand heading into Spring Training.

Chase Utley is on schedule to return opening day following his November 24th hip surgery. Utley has been diligent throughout the rehab process, being careful not to push himself too much. Personally, I don’t care if he plays at all in April. A 100% Utley is more important than attempting to return too soon.

 Slugger Ryan Howard is embroiled in a heated arbitration showdown with Phillies’ management. Howard wants $18 million. The front-office is offering $14 million. A multiyear deal is in the best interests of both parties, but with the economy in the tank, that scenario is unlikely. More likely is a split-middle compromise where Howard gets $16 million for 2009.

 We waved bye-bye to Pat Burrell. It was a love-hate relationship with Pat during him time in red and white. That being said, Burrell played an integral part in last October’s magical run. His professionalism and clutch-hitting will be missed. He will add punch to an already potent Tampa Bay Rays’ lineup.

 World Series MVP Cole Hamels notched a three year deal worth $20.5 million. Money well spent. Hamels is an elite starting pitcher and one of the top southpaws in all of baseball. With him on the mound, the Phillies can compete with anyone.

 Valuable reserve outfielder Jayson Werth signed a two year $10 million dollar deal to stay with the Phils. With Burrell gone, it was imperative Werth be retained. He is one of those steady-not-spectacular players needed to compete for championships.

 Overall, the Phillies have locked in all ten of their arbitration eligible players (once the Howard issue is resolved). This means all of their key players will be under contract through the 2010 season, except third baseman Pedro Feliz, who the club can option at the end of 2009.

 I think General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has done a fantastic job readying the Phillies for another title run. Other than the loss of Burrell, the same team that left the field in October will return intact. Opening night against Atlanta is still over two months away, but the reigning champs appear more than ready to play ball.

       The Winter Meetings began on Monday in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Phillies’ brass is there, along with the 29 other GMs across Major League Baseball. The Winter Meetings are pretty routine each year. They involve trade rumors, trades, free agent rumors and free agent signings as well as the Rule 5 Draft; which occurs on the final day of the meetings. But this year’s edition of the Winter Meetings is different; at least for the Phillies. This time they are the defending World Champions of baseball looking to improve their team from 2008 before the 2009 season rolls around.

So, as new GM of the Phillies, Ruben Amaro Jr. has his work cut out for him. Here is what his checklist does or should look like as he spends the week in Las Vegas for the Winter Meetings.

• 1. Resign left handed starting pitcher Jamie Moyer. Moyer led the team in wins with 16 and his value on the field doesn’t come even as close to his value off of the field. When Moyer isn’t dazzling opponent hitters with his marvelous changeup he is teaching the likes of Cole Hamels and Kyle Kendrick how to retire Major League hitters. He pretty much is the assistant to pitching coach Rich Dubee. Talks have stalled between the two sides but many agencies are reporting that a deal could be reached soon.
• 2. If Moyer leaves, the Phillies need to find a replacement because they aren’t going to give Adam Eaton too serious of a look when Spring Training rolls around. The Phillies have sent a contract offer to former Dodger Derek Lowe, whose sinker ball would fit in well at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies have also sent feelers out to the agent for A.J. Burnett.
• 3. If the team is interested in bringing back Pat Burrell, submit an offer to the free agent left fielder. If not, begin a search for his replacement. Names that could arise are Rocco Baldelli, Juan Rivera, Raul Ibanez and Jerry Hairston. The Phillies will explore free agency and trades to find their next left fielder if Burrell is to leave town.
• 4. Find a way to sign Ryan Madson, Jayson Werth and Hamels to long term contracts before they are eligible to leave Philly via free agency. The team has expressed interest in signing these two players to long term contracts before any of their other arbitration eligible players.
• 5. Upgrade the bench. With Chase Utley having hip surgery and likely to miss the first six months of the season, the Phillies will need another bench player to play behind Eric Bruntlett at second base. The Phillies have expressed some interest in former Phillie and Twin Nick Punto, who can play all four infield positions. He would be the best bet if Pedro Feliz, who underwent back surgery, doesn’t return in time for the start of the regular season. If they can’t find anyone to add to the bench then prospect Jason Donald will be the best bet to open the season on the 25-man roster to backup Bruntlett.
• 6. Add one or two more arms to an already dominating bullpen. The Phillies have already signed reliever Mike Koplove to a Minor League contract and have invited him to Spring Training but the team wants to add one or two more arms to compete for only one or two more spots in an already strong bullpen. The team returns Brad Lidge, Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero, Scott Eyre, Madson and Clay Condrey in 2009. That leaves two spots up for grabs. It could be three if Condrey does not make the team. Those final spots could be filled by Eaton, JA Happ, maybe Kendrick, Koplove or any other players the Phillies find.

I know that may seem like a lot of things to accomplish in only a few days but if Amaro returns to Philadelphia with one or two of these items checked off of his list then the meetings were a success for the Phillies.