Free agent right-handed pitcher Roy Oswalt met up with the Texas Rangers in a face to face lunch meeting in Arlington on Monday, according to sources. Las Vegas odds

The meeting was described as basic and concerned Rangers director Jon Daniels, Managing Director and President Nolan Ryan, Oswalt, his wife, Nicole, and agent Bob Garber. One resource said only the meeting was “good.”

Different reports have put the Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals as the two teams that Oswalt would prefer most as his home in 2012. A report on Fri. expounded Oswalt was near to a deal with the Cardinals, but added that it “wasn’t 100 percent.”

Oswalt, 34 year old, is at present searching for a home in 2012 after a bothersome back landed him on the disabled list two times in 2011. The veteran was 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA in 139 innings (23 starts) with the Philadelphia Phillies, who declined to pick up his selection after the season. After Oswalt was dealt to the Phillies at the trade deadline in 2010, he went 7-1 with a 1.74 ERA the rest of the season (twelve starts).

Oswalt, who spent the 1st 9½ seasons of his career with the Houston Astros before leaving to the Phillies, allegedly preferred to remain in the National League. Vegas odds

He was a constant starter in Houston, winning twenty games in 2004 and 2005, and has a job 3.21 ERA.

One query is whether he’s a fit in Texas. The Rangers have a lot more than a full revolution in place heading into spring coaching next month. They’ve claimed they are committed to trying Neftali Feliz in the rotation, and with the signing of Yu Darvish will need to move someone back to the bullpen. Alexi Ogando is the premiere applicant after how well he pitched in relief in the ALDS and ALCS in 2011.

If Oswalt signs with the Rangers and is slated to start (he’s said thru his agent that he would like to start, not pitch in relief), that would need the club to move another existing starter to the bullpen or make a further move.

Daniels announced that he was “intrigued” by the depth that Oswalt might produce to the team but wasn’t assured it is a perfect fit, either.

“If that were to happen, you’d love to have extra depth,” related Daniels, in chatting regarding if an injury took place on the staff. “The flip side we have to consider is what if that doesn’t occur? How does it all fit together? We’ve spent a lot of time and resources creating this younger group where they are prepared to perhaps take that next stage and do we owe it to them? Those are things we’re walking thru at this moment.