Rob Biertempfel from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported earlier this morning that the Pittsburgh Pirates have been very interested in free agent right handed pitcher Roy Oswalt and were willing to get into the bidding war. However, Roy Oswalt and his group "rebuffed" the Pirates.

Oswalt was reportedly close to signing with the St.Louis Cardinals two weeks ago but he wanted at least $2.5 million more than what the Cardinals were offering. Then the Texas Rangers jumped in and talked with him, but it seems like nothing got close there either. The Boston Red Sox have also been a dark horse in the battle for Oswalt, but they have not been able to agree to anything substantial, as reported earlier today.

With Edwin Jackson signing just a one year deal with the Washington Nationals last week, Oswalt is now the best free agent pitcher available, and it appears that though they were interested, he will not be in Pittsburgh.