I think he will. Astros make first move for Clemens Link Houston makes preliminary offer to The Rocket HOUSTON -- Houston Astros general manager Tim Purpura hasn't formally met with Roger Clemens' agents, but it appears a preliminary offer was submitted to Randy and Alan Hendricks that outlined parameters of a contract for the 2006 season. Clemens has yet to say whether he intends to pitch this season, and when he would return to the mound if he chooses to do so. The Astros' offer, however, is based on a full season and will be prorated from there, depending on how much of the regular season Clemens pitches. The Rocket made $18 million in 2005, and the offer was for at least that, and probably more. After all, a future Hall of Famer who turned in the lowest ERA in the big leagues by a half-run (1.87) is, without question, up for a raise. Declining to discuss numbers, Purpura said: "It's very difficult for a pitcher who accomplished what Roger did last year to look at any kind of a paycut. That just doesn't happen." Purpura contacted Randy Hendricks on Monday morning to schedule a meeting. No date has been confirmed, but Purpura anticipates one will take place in the next few days. "Randy Hendricks has been traveling, so I e-mailed him first thing this morning that we'd like to get together hopefully by tomorrow, Wednesday, Thursday...something like that," Purpura said. "So we can get something together from a meeting point of view." Monday marked the first day the Astros could begin negotiations with Clemens, who is being courted by four teams: the Astros, Yankees, Red Sox and Rangers. Because the Astros did not offer Clemens arbitration in December, Major League Baseball rules dictate they were to be barred from negotiating with him until May 1. Judging from how quickly the Hendricks brothers received the Astros' first offer, it appears Houston is very serious about obtaining Rocket's services at some point this year. May appears to be out. Hendricks confirmed via e-mail on Monday that Rocket has no plans to pitch this month. The Astros will be happy to take Clemens whenever he's ready. "I would think from his point of view, it would be at some point between mid-June and mid-July. That certainly seems to be a reasonable point of time," Purpura said. "July 1 is roughly halfway through the season so if you can get somebody on board halfway though the season, it's going to help your ballclub." That's not to say Astros owner Drayton McLane is going to hand Clemens a blank check and tell him to fill in the numbers. The coming weeks will involve heavy negotiations, and the Astros could find themselves in a bidding war with two of the richest teams in baseball in the Yankees and Red Sox and another team, the Rangers, whose owner had no issue giving the richest contract in history to Alex Rodriguez six years ago. Money is a factor for the Astros. With a payroll of $92 million, adding Clemens will lift their payroll to over $100 million. That would be a first for this franchise. According to Purpura, McLane is willing to open his pockets. "We do have budgets here," Purpura said. "We do have a situation where we've expanded our budget last year tremendously. As I've also said, when it comes to special exceptions, Drayton has always given us the latitude to move forward. Certainly, this is a situation where he is comfortable moving forward in terms of getting Roger on board and getting him back in an Astros uniform." The Astros have no intention in engaging in an unrealistic bidding war with the Yankees and Red Sox that will compromise the salary structure of their ballclub. They also plan to be aggressive with Clemens during the negotiating process, putting, as Purpura said, "our best foot forward." "I don't think we're going to set new records with whatever we pay Roger if we make a deal," Purpura said. "I don't think that's going to happen. But we've proven through the years [that] we can handle significant salaries. We paid him $18 million last year and went to the World Series. "This is a strong club from a financial point of view. We've been to the World Series, that helped us. We have a great infrastructure, we have fans that have been very supportive. I think we're in a good position to stay within our own parameters." The "freedom clause" will be a big negotiating tool. Clemens is not required to be with the club on the road when he's not pitching, and he's free to come and go as he pleases in between starts, home or away. Should Clemens re-sign, that clause will again be in effect. "We've given Roger the freedom to have the opportunity to be with his family, and travel apart form the club," Purpura said. "That's something that, from what I understand, other clubs are not offering and we are." Purpura acknowledged that he feels the Astros are a front-runner among the four teams vying for Rocket's services. Now, it's just a matter of waiting to find out if Clemens intends to pitch, or less likely, retire. "With the relationship we have with Roger and the Hendricks brothers, we have a good working relationship," Purpura said. "Roger will be a part of this organization when his career is over. It's all positive. The situation is well-known. We don't have to put on any campaign for Roger to come back. He knows what we're all about. He's very comfortable in this environment and we have a chance to win."
Yes. I have a feeling him and Pettitte will retire for good after this year. The Pettitte thing is just from a gut feeling I have...I definitely hope I'm wrong.
I don't think we'll be seeing Pettite retire at 33 years old. I wouldn't be surprised if after we win the world series, and roger retires, if we elect to go with our young pitchers and allow Pettite to leave.
Yeah, I hope so, it's just a feeling I got from one his interviews, just seemed like a guy who has done everything he ever wanted to in baseball.
I say Yes, I hope Backe comes back soon from injury I don't want that big game choker Clemens pitching in elimination games!
My question is, which starter sits if he comes back? The only pitcher that's really been struggling has been Pettitte, but you expect him to come out of it every time he goes out there. Oswalt's the ace and has been good as always. Wandy and Buchholz have been flat out amazing. Nieve has only gone four innings in two of his three starts and only has one win (yesterday against the Brewers), but the team scores run when he pitches, and have won all three of his starts. So I guess it's Nieve going to the bullpen with Astacio going back down. Tough break for Nieve, though I guess there's another month or so for one of the pitchers to make their case for going back to the bullpen.
Allowing Pettite to leave would be a big mistake. He's much more important to us than it may seem right now. Last thing I heard was that the Astros wanted to talk contract extension but Pettite kind of brushed it off until later. With all the frustration that he's been expressing lately, i'm afraid he may decide to call it quits or to go somewhere else after this season. I hope he doesn't.
Backe can take his time till October. He's 17-12 lifetime. Let the kids(Wandy, Buchholz and Nieve) show their stuff.
Maybe Pettite gets better when Clemens comes back. Maybe he misses his buddy. Can't hurt. If Burke can sit for two years waiting to start then I guess it won't hurt Nieve, Buchholz or Rodriguez to sit out some games. Having that kind of depth is what makes it possible to go all the way again this year. If our outfielders don't start contributing more regularly, then the pitching depth can bring a major bat in July if we need it. Not much down side here.
Yes he will come back and I hope the negotiations conclude soon. Clemens is a great pitcher and a greater competitor, but I'm sick and tired of seeing his name in the headlines so much and he hasn't done zip on the field this season. The Astros have been very good to him and I think he's a jerk for dragging things out like this. He'd better perform well when he joins the club. I'm at the saturation point on Clemens. I wish the media would just let things rest until he finally signs with a team or announces his retirement.
Mike & Mike(ESPN) are reporting that the Astros have offered Clemens 12 Million for the remaining 4 months on the schedule. They both agreed that if Roger comes back, that it will most likely be in Houston.
