A source tells Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com that the Astros aren’t looking to trade Roy Oswalt despite his request to be dealt to a contender.

A source with knowledge of the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Tuesday that despite Oswalt’s request, the Astros aren’t looking to trade the right-hander and three-time All-Star at this point. But that could change as the summer moves along and the July trade deadline nears, especially if the Astros continue to languish in the National League Central cellar.

While the Astros are not shopping their ace, Fox Houston reported on Tuesday that Rangers president Nolan Ryan reached out to Houston to express interest in Oswalt.

It’s interesting that the article mentioned that the Rangers have interest, because I detailed over the weekend why Texas would be a great landing spot for Oswalt if the Astros decided to trade him. You can read it here.

It would be rather ridiculous if the Stros didn’t trade Oswalt at some point this year. Their farm system is dried up and Oswalt isn’t going to be around when the club eventually starts competing again. To not get something for him now would be unwise, especially when he still has plenty of value to a contender.

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Roy Oswalt realizes that his window to win a World Series is closing fast. That’s why he recently told his agent to ask the Astros, the organization he has spent his entire pro career with, for a trade.

But Oswalt doesn’t want to play for just anyone. He wants to go to a contender.

“I’m not going to go to a team that’s not in contention of playing in the playoffs,” Oswalt said. “I’ve got two years left. In those two years, I’m trying to get back to the playoffs. I haven’t been there since ’05.”

Oswalt declined to tell the Houston Chronicle what teams he would like to play for, but I’ve got one: the Texas Rangers.

Let’s go down the checklist, shall we?

Are they a contender? Check. They’re currently in first place in the AL West.

Do they need pitching? Check. While they have some nice young arms in Neftali Feliz and Derek Holland, their starting staff is average at best and if they want to seriously contend, then they’ll need a strong presence at the front of their rotation.

Do they have the farm pieces in order to swing a trade? Check. Outside of maybe the Rays, the Rangers have the best farm system in baseball. Thanks to sound trades and a true commitment to scouting over the years, they have a bevy of power arms and bats in the minors. Surely they could put an attractive enough package together to entice the Astros to part with Oswalt.

Of course, this is just speculation on my part but the Rangers seem like a great fit. They’re off to an outstanding start this season and adding a piece like Oswalt would give them yet another weapon to keep the Angels at bay in the West. Of course, the team is currently seeking bankruptcy, so who knows if it will be willing to take on Oswalt’s salary.

As for the Astros, the club isn’t going anywhere this year and they’re incredibly depleted at the farm level. They need to rebuild and trading Oswalt (who deserves the opportunity to play for a contender) would be a good start.

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