Why don't we understand that Roger don't want to play unless he's going to the big dance with a good chance of winning it? That's all he's doing with these negotiating ploys is trying to get the Stros off dead center and make some moves for more hitting and maybe one pitcher. If we keep this team the same, what reason does he have to come back and pitch his fanny off all season, to try to win games by allowing 1 run a game? No wonder he's broke down by August. All Roger is saying is "If you build it, I will come. If you don't, I won't. I agree, let's get Zito and Abreu. Then get Roger to come back around June, so he's not burnt up by September.
i hear all that. and it's fine as long as he's not demanding $18 million or something in that ballpark. it doesn't grow on trees.
Uh, no...By him waiting causes the Stros' to limit their options...We do not have an unlimited budget and can sign a big time FA and clemens...That's just how it is...Do I want him back, yes, but for $18MM, maybe not...
Well, this makes for an interesting off-season and one which could make or break next season depending on how Astros management handles it. If they screw it up, then they will never hear the end of it from Astros fans and the Chronicle.
I think the Astros should move on as if he is not coming back. Go after a bat, go after another starter, try to reload with no Roger. Then in February, if Roger comes back for a price that fits in the budget, it puts the Astros over the top, if not then have a great retirement Rocket. Or, enjoy another year in NY Rocket. Because I don't give a damn. At this stage of his life, his needs are that different and that's fine. So let's all move on *now* and be happy about rather than some ugly, bitter divorce in February with everyone pointing fingers blaming lack of action on the other parties.
I agree....and this is more or less what Roger is saying anyway. Go get a bat...worry about me later. he has said if they want to know NOW, they wont like the answer.....it doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Purp needs to go to work
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2249154 Updated: Dec. 5, 2005, 9:59 PM ET No decision from Clemens as signing deadline looms DALLAS -- Roger Clemens hasn't decided if he will pitch next season, again leaving the Houston Astros in a bind as they plan for 2006. Profile 2005 SEASON STATISTICS GM W L BB K ERA 32 13 8 62 185 1.87 "Today, he would retire if he had to make the decision," Clemens' agent, Randy Hendricks, said Monday at baseball's winter meetings. Hendricks added that the seven-time Cy Young Award winner, who hobbled off the mound after only two innings in Game 2 of the World Series against the Chicago White Sox because of a strained left hamstring, probably won't make a decision until late January or early February. The Astros have until Wednesday night to sign Clemens or offer him salary arbitration. Otherwise, he would not be able to re-sign with them before May 1. "It's the same situation we were in last year where we were uncertain as to when we would get an answer," Houston general manager Tim Purpura said. "It puts us at somewhat of a disadvantage to build our club." It's a bigger problem for the Astros this offseason because of an already escalating payroll without even counting Clemens, who made $18 million last season. After being offered salary arbitration, he reached that deal on Jan. 21, only about a month before the start of spring training. Andy Pettitte, Roy Oswalt, Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman are scheduled to make about $65 million in 2006, up from about $45 million last year. The Astros also have six players eligible for arbitration, including closer Brad Lidge and cleanup hitter Morgan Ensberg. "We have to go about our business," Purpura said, adding that the team still has not decided whether to offer arbitration to Clemens. "Certainly, we'd love to have Roger aboard. There's no doubt about it. We also understand his thought process, what he's going through to try to make this decision." The 43-year-old Clemens had problems with his back and hamstring last season. He is determined to pitch for the United States in the World Baseball Classic next March -- even in a limited role, Hendricks said. But that doesn't mean the Rocket will return to Houston. "I think his commitment to the World Classic is intriguing," Purpura said. "That gives me some indication that he thinks that he's got something left that he can go out and participate in that." Clemens led the major leagues with a career-low 1.87 ERA last season, going 13-8. He finished third in NL Cy Young Award balloting behind Chris Carpenter and Dontrelle Willis. "There's no animosity. It's just been a magical two years. As I said to the Astros, I don't think we owe each other anything other than thanks," Hendricks said. "His timetable is not the same as theirs."
Clemens done? [ESPN] http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2249154 DALLAS -- Roger Clemens hasn't decided if he will pitch next season, again leaving the Houston Astros in a bind as they plan for 2006. Roger Clemens Starting Pitcher Houston Astros Profile 2005 SEASON STATISTICS GM W L BB K ERA 32 13 8 62 185 1.87 "Today, he would retire if he had to make the decision," Clemens' agent, Randy Hendricks, said Monday at baseball's winter meetings. Hendricks added that the seven-time Cy Young Award winner, who hobbled off the mound after only two innings in Game 2 of the World Series against the Chicago White Sox because of a strained left hamstring, probably won't make a decision until late January or early February. The Astros have until Wednesday night to sign Clemens or offer him salary arbitration. Otherwise, he would not be able to re-sign with them before May 1. "It's the same situation we were in last year where we were uncertain as to when we would get an answer," Houston general manager Tim Purpura said. "It puts us at somewhat of a disadvantage to build our club." It's a bigger problem for the Astros this offseason because of an already escalating payroll without even counting Clemens, who made $18 million last season. After being offered salary arbitration, he reached that deal on Jan. 21, only about a month before the start of spring training. Andy Pettitte, Roy Oswalt, Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman are scheduled to make about $65 million in 2006, up from about $45 million last year. The Astros also have six players eligible for arbitration, including closer Brad Lidge and cleanup hitter Morgan Ensberg. "We have to go about our business," Purpura said, adding that the team still has not decided whether to offer arbitration to Clemens. "Certainly, we'd love to have Roger aboard. There's no doubt about it. We also understand his thought process, what he's going through to try to make this decision." The 43-year-old Clemens had problems with his back and hamstring last season. He is determined to pitch for the United States in the World Baseball Classic next March -- even in a limited role, Hendricks said. But that doesn't mean the Rocket will return to Houston. "I think his commitment to the World Classic is intriguing," Purpura said. "That gives me some indication that he thinks that he's got something left that he can go out and participate in that." Clemens led the major leagues with a career-low 1.87 ERA last season, going 13-8. He finished third in NL Cy Young Award balloting behind Chris Carpenter and Dontrelle Willis. "There's no animosity. It's just been a magical two years. As I said to the Astros, I don't think we owe each other anything other than thanks," Hendricks said. "His timetable is not the same as theirs."
HTML: "Today, he would retire if he had to make the decision," Clemens' agent, Randy Hendricks, said Monday at baseball's winter meetings. ?
Clemens went the arbitration route last year and signed his contract before his arbitration date. My bet is that this is how it will play out again this year.
Wow, I didn't realize it was this bad. So just to field the exact same team, we're looking at about a $25-$28 million payroll increase (about $5-$8M for Ensberg and Lidge, who'll probably get multi-year contracts rather than arbitration).
What a great idea! Let's tank the offseason less than 15 weeks into it for an inknown commodity! Not smart.
Well said. Roger is not at bat. We are. Roger won't play another season, unless he sees benefit in it. Move on and wait for Roger to call.
