Roger Clemens on 790 am

[macalu]

in the next hour.

[TigerBait]

Patrick is probably going to try to make the Astros look bad in front of Clemens, he already ripped them for saying how they didn't want to wait "forever" to get a decision from Roger and he views it as disrespectful; Yea and who cares that Beltran screwed us.

[MadMax]

doesn't sound good right now.

[Drewdog]

can anyone recap for those of us who do not have access to a radio?

[MadMax]

can anyone recap for those of us who do not have access to a radio?

sure...he was kinda mysterious. he said some things in a way that led me to believe he's strongly leaning towards retirement...but is keeping his options open just in case. he talked about it not being his decision alone, and that lots of people are affected by it. for that reason, he's leaving his options open. said the season was tough on him physically and mentally...still having a tough time with the loss of his mother. compared last year to the year before and said the 2005 astros had to overcome more.

[Drewdog]

Why cant he just come out and say it. Then the Astros can move on and make some decisions.

[MadMax]

Why cant he just come out and say it. Then the Astros can move on and make some decisions.

yeah...and dan patrick was somewhat critical of mclane saying that he wasn't going to wait as long this offseason for clemens as he did last offseason. clemens said that if he puts the pressure on, he won't like the answer...meaning that if he had to decide right now, he'd retire. at least that's the way i interpreted his comments.

anyone else hear it??

[TigerBait]

Yea, and he also said that the Astros should just concentrate on their lineup for now and then wait for his decision, if he comes then it will just be an added plus. So I think he's saying for everyone to see him as retired for now and if that changes then he'll say when he's ready.

[MadMax]

Yea, and he also said that the Astros should just concentrate on their lineup for now and then wait for his decision, if he comes then it will just be an added plus. So I think he's saying for everyone to see him as retired for now and if that changes then he'll say when he's ready.

yeah..and that puts the astros in a tight spot. because if he's not coming back, they might focus on going after a starter...but they wouldn't do that if they knew he was coming back.

[Major]

yeah..and that puts the astros in a tight spot. because if he's not coming back, they might focus on going after a starter...but they wouldn't do that if they knew he was coming back.

Not only that, but how much money is he going to demand? That also figures into the Astros' plans. I have no problems with the Astros putting a deadline on him relatively soon. If he can't decide, too bad for him.

[shawn786]

Damit just tell us allready!

[Surfguy]

did we not read early on that clemens had already made his decision and communicated it to management but it wasn't made public? now, it sounds like he never made a decision at all? i'm confused. :confused:

if we're not going to wait around for him to make a decision and go sign some other free agents, then how in the world are we going to be able to pay him if he does decide to play?

[macalu]

dammit, i missed the interview. doesn't sound too promising from what i'm reading from you guys.

[msn]

if we're not going to wait around for him to make a decision and go sign some other free agents, then how in the world are we going to be able to pay him if he does decide to play?
What says he plays in Houston? I mean, I know all about the "closer to home, watch my kids play" thing, but he's already drastically changed his mind concerning his career once. What's to say he won't do so again? Both Boston and NY need some pitching help.

[wesnesked]

I say you let his ass go. I hate how everyone always rides his jock. Sure he was awesome for about 2/3 of season but for most of the second half Roger blew and didn't excatly step it up in the playoffs. Lets take his $18 million and spend it on growing the team.

[candlegreen]

I doubt he'll play anywhere else if the main reason behind him not being sure about returning had to do with his family. Maybe his mind is made up, and it's leading towards retirement. Maybe he made up his mind that the Astros needs to work on their lineup before he'll know whether he wants to return. If he returns, he'll want nothing less than the WS ring as an Astro.

[No Worries]

did we not read early on that clemens had already made his decision and communicated it to management but it wasn't made public? now, it sounds like he never made a decision at all? i'm confused. :confused:
I bet he is slowly changing his mind from being retired to one more season.

If he really wants to be retired, he could just say that and move on.

[Ric]

Not only that, but how much money is he going to demand? That also figures into the Astros' plans.
clemens' too. i think he wants to see what they do to upgrade the team and how much money that'll leave for him. make no mistake what clemens is all about.

[TigerBait]

clemens' too. i think he wants to see what they do to upgrade the team and how much money that'll leave for him. make no mistake what clemens is all about.

If that was the case then Clemens could say he wants to play right now, knowing that Drayton will most likely give him whatever he asks for, rather than getting whats left over.

[NJRocket]

My guess is that he will wait to see if McLane spends some of the exorbitant amount of money he has made the past 2 years (some thanks to Roger) and then decide.....that being said, I think if McLane DOES spend some money and improve the team , he may come back for less than expected.

[MadMax]

What says he plays in Houston? I mean, I know all about the "closer to home, watch my kids play" thing, but he's already drastically changed his mind concerning his career once. What's to say he won't do so again? Both Boston and NY need some pitching help.

my business partner has gotten to know the clemens family fairly well. judging by the things i've heard second-hand, i'd be shocked if he did that.

[Chance]

he'll be back.
the texans won't win 3 games.

there are some guarantees in life...

[emjohn]

He's done this the last few off-seasons....it's best that no one get wound up about it. Barkley did the same thing during the last few years of his career.

The Astros should look to sign/trade for a bat no matter what, and either look at it as an expensive final push for a title with Clemens or as a first step to offset his departure.

Evan

[Deckard]

my business partner has gotten to know the clemens family fairly well. judging by the things i've heard second-hand, i'd be shocked if he did that.
I agree. Strong arguments can be made for and against Roger coming back, against being financial ones, but I can't see him playing anywhere else. It's here or done, in my opinion. I hope he comes back, but for less money.

[Groogrux]

My guess is that he will wait to see if McLane spends some of the exorbitant amount of money he has made the past 2 years (some thanks to Roger) and then decide.....that being said, I think if McLane DOES spend some money and improve the team , he may come back for less than expected.

That's exactly what I'm thinking. Right now, he's thinking to himself that he's retiring. We bring in another bat or two, I bet he comes back.

[No Worries]

I hope he comes back, but for less money.
I hope he comes back, but for more money. He is so worth it. The Astros have made two unbelievable playoff runs the last two years. Without Clemens, I just don't see them making either run.

[white lightning]

He should take the first 2 months of the season off and come back in June so he'll be stronger at the end of the season.

[HayesStreet]

It's not like Drayton is strapped for cash, or that Roger doesn't pull his weight financially. The 'Stros should go out and sign who they need to sign. If Roger wants to come back, pay him to come back.

[msn]

It would seem obvious that the Astros made more money this year than in years upon years--probably more than ever in the franchise (but that's a guess).

That said, how many of you have seen the Astros' books? Are they "rolling in dough", or barely breaking even? Because if the report is to be believed, they were losing as much $2 million per in the late '90s and even a few years back.

As far as how much money Drayton McLane personally has, that's a red herring.

[rrj_gamz]

The problem with Clemens waiting is that if we need to get a good starting pitcher, it'll take money, money that we won't have if Roger is here...Catch 22 as they say...

Not only that, we need another bat and that'll cost us money and we can't do anything if we don't know as that delays any type of trades we could do to get a bat...

[Major]

It's not like Drayton is strapped for cash, or that Roger doesn't pull his weight financially. The 'Stros should go out and sign who they need to sign. If Roger wants to come back, pay him to come back.

Roger Clemens pays for himself when he makes $5MM a year, not $18MM.

10,000 extra fans for his ~15 home starts at $25 / ticket = $3MM. And as his novelty wears down, 10,000 extra fans is probably a huge overestimate.

[HayesStreet]

Roger Clemens pays for himself when he makes $5MM a year, not $18MM.

10,000 extra fans for his ~15 home starts at $25 / ticket = $3MM. And as his novelty wears down, 10,000 extra fans is probably a huge overestimate.

Plus concessions and merchandise. If you sign him for $18MM and you end up paying him 10-11MM, that's pretty good for the league ERA leader.

[Surfguy]

Do you think he will come back if we sign Sammy Sosa? I think Sammy and the short porch to left field could be a perfect match. I wonder if he could stay healthy, though?

Based on his last season, he was injured for most of it and didn't hit so well. If he came back rejuvenated and healthy, then it may pay off.

Just an idea. We need someone of that caliber who can perform to get us and Roger back to the WS.

[Nick]

Do you think he will come back if we sign Sammy Sosa? I think Sammy and the short porch to left field could be a perfect match. I wonder if he could stay healthy, though?

Based on his last season, he was injured for most of it and didn't hit so well. If he came back rejuvenated and healthy, then it may pay off.

Just an idea. We need someone of that caliber who can perform to get us and Roger back to the WS.

Fans of Baltimore said this exact same thing before last season.

Camden Yards is a bonafied Hitter's park... possibly more so than Minute Maid because you can hit well to all parts of the park, not just LF. Also, Sosa (in his prime) was not a dead-pull hitter. In fact, in his 60+ HR seasons, he had more HR's to C and RCF than he did to dead left... which is amazing for a right handed hitter.

[Surfguy]

Fans of Baltimore said this exact same thing before last season.

Camden Yards is a bonafied Hitter's park... possibly more so than Minute Maid because you can hit well to all parts of the park, not just LF. Also, Sosa (in his prime) was not a dead-pull hitter. In fact, in his 60+ HR seasons, he had more HR's to C and RCF than he did to dead left... which is amazing for a right handed hitter.

Don't forget the steroids! ;)

[Major]

Plus concessions and merchandise. If you sign him for $18MM and you end up paying him 10-11MM, that's pretty good for the league ERA leader.

I believe merchandise gets split amongst the entire league, so there's nothing there. Concessions, certainly. But I think if you put a winning product on the field, you'll fit seats for the most part. Clemens is no longer the novelty he was 2 years ago for Houston fans.

Besides which, we can win without him. We went 15-17 in his 32 starts last year. No fault of his own, certainly, but the reality is that we won despite our results in his games, not because of them. Go get a $9MM AJ Burnett and a $9MM bat for that $18MM and we'd be better, I think.

[bigboymumu]

I believe merchandise gets split amongst the entire league, so there's nothing there. Concessions, certainly. But I think if you put a winning product on the field, you'll fit seats for the most part. Clemens is no longer the novelty he was 2 years ago for Houston fans.

Besides which, we can win without him. We went 15-17 in his 32 starts last year. No fault of his own, certainly, but the reality is that we won despite our results in his games, not because of them. Go get a $9MM AJ Burnett and a $9MM bat for that $18MM and we'd be better, I think.

And Clemens for $9mm.

[Jared Novak]

I don't think Clemens will sign if the team is not improved. How many times last year did the offense lave him high and dry by not driving in a single run or maybe mustering only a run when he held the other team to one or two runs?

Just improve the team as if you are not expecting Clemens back. Go get a bat and an arm, make the team attractive to Clemens so he'll want to come back and if his answer is no, then at least you didn't put all your eggs in one basket like last year.

[TheFreak]

Besides which, we can win without him. We went 15-17 in his 32 starts last year. No fault of his own, certainly, but the reality is that we won despite our results in his games, not because of them. Go get a $9MM AJ Burnett and a $9MM bat for that $18MM and we'd be better, I think.

You vastly underestimate what he did for team morale, confidence, etc. Intangibles, as they say.

[toby]

if drayton spends money to make the team better this off season, i would not put it past roger to sign a minimum contract (if he likes the moves made)

[JunkyardDwg]

I don't think Clemens will sign if the team is not improved. How many times last year did the offense lave him high and dry by not driving in a single run or maybe mustering only a run when he held the other team to one or two runs?

Just improve the team as if you are not expecting Clemens back. Go get a bat and an arm, make the team attractive to Clemens so he'll want to come back and if his answer is no, then at least you didn't put all your eggs in one basket like last year.


Think that's exactly what they need to do. Make your moves based on Clemens NOT returning. And if he likes the product that'll be on the field, he'll come back. I'm thinkin money won't be an issue if he does wanna come back after we make our moves, which is likely the time he'll make his decision.

[jopatmc]

I don't think Clemens will sign if the team is not improved. How many times last year did the offense lave him high and dry by not driving in a single run or maybe mustering only a run when he held the other team to one or two runs?

Just improve the team as if you are not expecting Clemens back. Go get a bat and an arm, make the team attractive to Clemens so he'll want to come back and if his answer is no, then at least you didn't put all your eggs in one basket like last year.


I think Roger was basically saying that today. He won't come back status quo. But if the Stros upgrade the offense substantially, he will probably come back for less money.

Sign A.J. or $10 mill, sign Nomar for $6 mill, and trade a couple players for another hitter, and resign Roger for $5 mill or so and go pick up the trophy.

[madmax11]

I think Roger was basically saying that today. He won't come back status quo. But if the Stros upgrade the offense substantially, he will probably come back for less money.

Sign A.J. or $10 mill, sign Nomar for $6 mill, and trade a couple players for another hitter, and resign Roger for $5 mill or so and go pick up the trophy.

LOL I wish it was that easy!!

[madmax11]

Well the question is would Clemens accept more power in the lineup if it came at the expense of his buddy Ausmus not re-signing?

[Xenon]

Besides which, we can win without him. We went 15-17 in his 32 starts last year. No fault of his own, certainly, but the reality is that we won despite our results in his games, not because of them. Go get a $9MM AJ Burnett and a $9MM bat for that $18MM and we'd be better, I think.

I've heard this crazy theory on the radio by Matt Jackson and I don't buy it for a second. If any other pitcher was put in the place of Clemens last season we'd have gone something like 8-24 in those starts and missed the playoffs. An average pitcher would have struggled mightily with the run support Clemens received.

[MadMax]

And Clemens for $9mm.

hey, how's your bar coming?? need a lawyer, yet??? :) seriously...how is it going?

[apostolic3]

If he truly has already made up his mind, it's likely he's decided to retire and he should tell the team soon. This waiting on him is for the birds. Listening to some of Roger's earlier interviews, he wants the team to go forward without him.

I don't want Burnett because he's too injury prone. He is demanding a 5 year contract. :eek: Whoever signs him could be throwing $50-60MM down the toilet for 1/2 year's output. A.J. didn't exactly set the world on fire down the stretch. Wouldn't touch him with a 10 foot pole.

Depends how much Nomar wants. He's worth talking to, for sure.

[NJRocket]

Roger Clemens pays for himself when he makes $5MM a year, not $18MM.

10,000 extra fans for his ~15 home starts at $25 / ticket = $3MM. And as his novelty wears down, 10,000 extra fans is probably a huge overestimate.


you cant only judge it by the games he starts.....it also has a direct effect on hopw many season tickets are sold as well i would think

[NJRocket]

I heard the clip of Roger talking on 790 (one of the other stations played it this morning) and I took his comments to say ....get a bat (or 2)....and he will come back

[candlegreen]

I heard the clip of Roger talking on 790 (one of the other stations played it this morning) and I took his comments to say ....get a bat (or 2)....and he will come back

Like I mentioned earlier, why would Roger want to come back if not to bring the Astros to a title? He's helped them get there, and there's no reason to play another year for ANY amount of money if it's not to finally win it for Houston. In order to do so, they have to get the bats. If the offense is there, Roger will find reasons to come back.

[edwardc]

I think Roger was basically saying that today. He won't come back status quo. But if the Stros upgrade the offense substantially, he will probably come back for less money.

Sign A.J. or $10 mill, sign Nomar for $6 mill, and trade a couple players for another hitter, and resign Roger for $5 mill or so and go pick up the trophy.
Who do you trade and no to nomar to many injuries

[rocket_red]

I like Clemens, but all this waiting for his decision can't be good for the Stros. Remember what happen last time with Beltran. We waited until the final few minutes for his decision and he chose the Mets. Because of that, we weren't able to pursue any other players, they were all gone. This offseason, McLane should try and avoid that fiasco and upgrade his roster now! Roger Clemens is definately worth the money, but 18-20 Mil per year, c'mon. Stros could get at least 2-3 decent players for that kinda money!