I realize I'm the only one, but I still think Drayton and Clemens worked this out before they denied him arbitration last year.
I think this is what people are failing to realize for some reason. He is one of the most battle tested playoff pitchers of all time. We would definitely want him in the playoffs healthy, that is why signing him in mid May would be a steal because he won't wear down in the playoffs as much as he did last year. Now if you don't want Roger from a money standpoint and want to go a cheaper route with the decent rookies then maybe I can understand why you wouldn't want him back. But to choose the development of the young guys over Roger is kind of silly.
I agree also. I think all parties realized that Clemens can't pitch a full season anymore. He could certainly grind out a half season. I think the plan all along has been to wait until June-July. If the Astros are in contention at that point, then I think he will be back. If the Astros aren't looking too good at that point (which now doesn't seem to be the case) then he would look elsewhere. If we keep winning, he will be back!
No matter what are record is or how are starting pitchers are doing, the Astros can always use Clemens,
Clemens pays for himself, by the added attendance (this may not be true but sounds really good). Lets' compare what the Astros did in the post season prior to Clemens and after. Shall we?
But would they have done the same without him? This years team seems so much better than last years, and the young pitchers are really coming through. Kind of reminds me of Atlanta when they had that great young staff. Clemens was a monster, but only for 6 innings a game last year. Maybe it is time for him to hang em up permanently. DD
Who would you rather have starting in a big game, Clemens or Nieve? We need Clemens back if we are going to compete for the World Series. We have to remember that the teams we have been playing in April are not by any means world-beaters. They are some of the worst teams in the NL.
You know as we get older we get inflicted with the CRS disease. You might want to recall that last year's Astros raced at of the box too (before the nose dive).
I'm amazed how much this logic is being used around here... how our record means little because we haven't "played" anybody. First of all, the baseball season is 162 games... and well over 2/3's of those games are going to be against opponents who are not "world-beaters." Secondly, who in the NL is a world-beater besides St. Louis and possibly the NY Mets. Chicago has injury problems... Cincinatti is a joke of a pitching staff... and Atlanta is struggling to find a decent starter besides Smoltz. Then, you have teams like the Phillies, Brewers, and Giants... good teams, but all are missing key components to make them great. So, in the end, the only "elite" NL teams right now are the Astros, Mets, and probably the Cardinals. If we lose 2 out of 3 to the Mets and Cardinals, will that mean this team is terrible? No... so why would we use only those games to judge this team? Hell, we SUCKED against St. Louis last year, and it still didn't mean much come playoff time (and vice versa in 2004). We always suck against the Mets, even if they're terrible (they own Oswalt). If we can manage to sweep terrible teams like Pittsburgh, win 3 out of 4 against below average teams like Washington or Arizona, and continue to win series against teams like the "average to above average" San Fran and Milwaukee... this team will be in great shape... even if they drop a series against the so-called "world beaters". Just like good pitching is "good" because its supposed to shut down an offense, a good team will beat another good team as well... I'm just preparing for the thousands that will jump off the bandwagon if we have a losing road-trip in the Chicago/St. Louis swing of the schedule.
2005 - 8-10 2006 - 13-5 Only a Mets fan would see those two records as "equals", and a harbinger of things to come. Btw, I'm sure you're still loving that Victor Zambrano for Scott Kazmir trade... its paying huge divedends.
He went at least 7 in 21 of his 32 starts last year (for comparison's sake, Roy went at least 7 in 22 of 34 starts). Pitched into the 7th in 3 others. 211 innings is a lot to expect untested youngsters to replace. Wandy & TB will not have a 2 ERA between them for the season, they will struggle at some point. No guarantees Backe will come back. The offense will struggle at some point. The bullpen should be more consistent at some point. Roy's had injury issues before, so has Pettitte, so has TB. Wandy has a troublesome groin at the moment...who knows if they'll hold up? You can never have too much pitching. It's too early & there's too many uncertainties to make season long pronouncements. Clemens can help the team, why wouldn't they want him back? p.s. Koby's out for awhile (busted up a finger), will put a damper on their Lexington plans.
They "raced" out to a 4-1 record, lost 3, won 1, lost 3, won 3, then they were at or under .500 until 07/09 (43-43). After 18 games they were 8-10.
Do we need him, no, but it would be nice...It's hard to think about the mentality of the guys as here you have someone that didn't go to spring training, holding the team hostage, and you let him in with open arms... Maybe, maybe not, but he still would be helpful, regardless...Not for $20 plus million...
is drayton going to pay clemens upwards of $20MM if this team continues to play well. we have one more week to get a guage on this staff. it would be nice to see them against some better offensive competition and it would be nice to have a little more time to evaluate them. right now paying roger is a saftey net but its only been one month.
