ryan17wagner
02-28-2007, 01:22 PM
JUPITER, Fla. — Described more as fanciful thinking than a realistic hope, the Cardinals recently told agents representing seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens that they are interested should the 44-year-old expand his list of potential 2007 landing spots beyond Houston, New York and Boston.
General manager Walt Jocketty, assistant general manager John Mozeliak and vice president of player personnel Jerry Walker met at length Monday morning at a nearby coffee shop with one of Clemens' lead agents, Alan Hendricks, and two associates. Much of their two-hour meeting focused on Hendricks clients Braden Looper and Kip Wells, but Clemens was discussed.
"I guess you would always have interest in a guy like that," Jocketty said. "He's someone we've expressed interest in before. I'm not sure it would be mutual, though. There are so many factors involved it would be pretty tough to do any deal with them. You never know."
One club official played down the Cardinals' chances of landing Clemens to "1 million to 1."
Asked his opinion, pitching coach Dave Duncan said he had not been approached regarding Clemens and estimated the odds of pulling such a coup as "more like 2 million to 1."
In December, the Cardinals made an eleventh-hour push for free-agent lefthander Andy Pettitte, another Hendricks client, shortly before Pettitte signed a one-year contract to return to the New York Yankees.
The Cardinals also bid for Clemens before he signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros in 2004.
Jocketty, who has also put out trade feelers for starting pitching, acknowledged that he is intrigued by Clemens' availability while trying to suppress any irrational expectations.
A high-ranking club official unaware of Monday's meeting conceded the club "would have to be interested" if Clemens became available for bid.
The Cardinals retain significant financial flexibility after failed attempts to sign free agents Pettitte, Randy Wolf, Jason Schmidt, Miguel Batista and Jeff Weaver, Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said recently.
Clemens, a Houston resident, is believed to be leaning toward returning to the Astros should they appear competitive when he decides in May or June.
The Cardinals' best opportunity would rest with the Astros faltering early and Clemens reconsidering a return to either the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees. A contending St. Louis club also would be a geographical fit for a player who last year was allowed to miss selected road series when not scheduled to pitch.
After contemplating retirement, Clemens last June re-signed with Houston. His contract was worth about $12 million, prorated over 19 starts that covered 113 1/3 innings.
Clemens was 38-18 in 84 starts with ERAs of 2.98, 1.87 and 2.30 the past three seasons. He completed only one start.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/E259F6C2F0FB8460862572900016E549?OpenDocument
General manager Walt Jocketty, assistant general manager John Mozeliak and vice president of player personnel Jerry Walker met at length Monday morning at a nearby coffee shop with one of Clemens' lead agents, Alan Hendricks, and two associates. Much of their two-hour meeting focused on Hendricks clients Braden Looper and Kip Wells, but Clemens was discussed.
"I guess you would always have interest in a guy like that," Jocketty said. "He's someone we've expressed interest in before. I'm not sure it would be mutual, though. There are so many factors involved it would be pretty tough to do any deal with them. You never know."
One club official played down the Cardinals' chances of landing Clemens to "1 million to 1."
Asked his opinion, pitching coach Dave Duncan said he had not been approached regarding Clemens and estimated the odds of pulling such a coup as "more like 2 million to 1."
In December, the Cardinals made an eleventh-hour push for free-agent lefthander Andy Pettitte, another Hendricks client, shortly before Pettitte signed a one-year contract to return to the New York Yankees.
The Cardinals also bid for Clemens before he signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros in 2004.
Jocketty, who has also put out trade feelers for starting pitching, acknowledged that he is intrigued by Clemens' availability while trying to suppress any irrational expectations.
A high-ranking club official unaware of Monday's meeting conceded the club "would have to be interested" if Clemens became available for bid.
The Cardinals retain significant financial flexibility after failed attempts to sign free agents Pettitte, Randy Wolf, Jason Schmidt, Miguel Batista and Jeff Weaver, Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said recently.
Clemens, a Houston resident, is believed to be leaning toward returning to the Astros should they appear competitive when he decides in May or June.
The Cardinals' best opportunity would rest with the Astros faltering early and Clemens reconsidering a return to either the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees. A contending St. Louis club also would be a geographical fit for a player who last year was allowed to miss selected road series when not scheduled to pitch.
After contemplating retirement, Clemens last June re-signed with Houston. His contract was worth about $12 million, prorated over 19 starts that covered 113 1/3 innings.
Clemens was 38-18 in 84 starts with ERAs of 2.98, 1.87 and 2.30 the past three seasons. He completed only one start.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/E259F6C2F0FB8460862572900016E549?OpenDocument