Danny Knobbler Would Like To Cause A Frenzy In Philadelphia

I believe I've gone on responsible reporting rants before so I won't do too much with this one other than point out the irresponsible reporting on the part of CBS's Danny Knobbler, who in writing about the Phillies interest in Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt has caused quite a bit of anger amongst Phillies fans. Which would be fine, if for a few seconds Knobbler thought about what he was writing and how he was writing it, something he clearly did not. That is not to say that reporters and columnists can't say bad things about Philadelphia, they can, but it has got to be something better than this, and something that can be proven as factual. From CBS.com.

Astros owner Drayton McLane told the team's website that "nothing's imminent" on the trade front, and suggested that any deal would wait until closer to the July 31 deadline.

A deal for Oswalt remains complicated, for all the reasons we explained last month and more. ESPN.com reported Wednesday that Oswalt would require a team to pick up his 2012 option as part of agreeing to any deal, and sources said the Phillies aren't inclined to do that. Oswalt may not really want to pitch in Philadelphia in any case, having told people in Houston that he would rather not go anywhere with a large and aggressive media contingent.

Notice something missing? Like, oh, I don't know, A DIRECT QUOTE! I have checked Houston media sources and Astros beat writers and I am yet to find anything about Oswalt not wanting to play for Philadelphia because of the "aggressive media." Knobbler indicates his source as "people in Houston." Well? Who are these people? Where can I go to confirm that Oswalt said such a thing?

And while the Oswalt-St.Louis trade talks may be very real, I am left wondering whether or not this would actually happen. After all, St. Louis has Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, and rookie sensation Jaime Garcia in their starting rotation. The last thing the Cards need is another starting pitcher, especially when their offense outside of Albert Pujols is not a very good one when facing teams not named the Philadelphia Phillies.