Sources: Cards working on Oswalt deal

The St. Louis Cardinals don't have a deal in place to sign free-agent starter Roy Oswalt -- yet -- but they are working diligently to create the necessary payroll flexibility, major-league sources said Sunday. Oswalt likely would jump at an offer of one year and $10 million from the Cardinals, according to a source familiar with his thinking. In recent days, the team has discussed proposals in the range of $7 million. That is why the Cardinals are attempting to move relief pitcher Kyle McClellan and his $2.5 million salary. St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak is said to be concerned with alleviating McClellan's payroll obligation, rather than obtaining top-end talent in return. Oswalt, 34, would prefer to pitch for the Cardinals or Texas Rangers, one source said. Oswalt plans to meet with the Rangers on Monday and could make his final decision by the middle of the week, sources say. The Cardinals already boast a formidable rotation. The addition of Oswalt would give them one of the best in baseball: Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Jaime Garcia, Oswalt, and Jake Westbrook or Kyle Lohse. Lohse started one game in each postseason round last year. Westbrook earned the win in relief during the Cardinals' epic Game 6 win over the Rangers in the World Series.