stove toppings

On the hot stove front: Rumors are flying that the Boston Red Sox are the frontrunners to sign Roy Oswalt. The free agent right-hander from Weir and Holmes Community College is perhaps the top arm still on the market, and the Red Sox’s trade of veteran shortstop Marco Scutaro may have been their way of positioning themselves financially to go after Oswalt. Oswalt had a tough 2011 in Philadelphia, battling injuries while posting a 9-10 mark with a 3.69 ERA. … When Houston signed free agent catcher Chris Snyder on Friday, it made former Mississippi State standout Craig Tatum’s situation more complicated. Tatum, claimed by the Astros off waivers from Baltimore last fall, was designated for assignment last week when the club signed free agent outfielder Jack Cust. Tatum was the veteran presence among the Astros’ catching corps, which includes youngsters Jason Castro and Huberto Quintero. Now Snyder fills that role. If he clears waivers, Tatum could be retained by the Astros as an insurance catcher in Triple-A. Then again, he might be cut loose. … Still no word on the future of Mississippians Bill Hall or Marcus Thames. … Former Jackson Generals infielder Julio Lugo, who played briefly in Atlanta in 2011, reportedly has signed a minor league deal with Cleveland.