Clemens to return to Yanks?

[Marc]

The struggling Astros say they are not shopping their ace, but their owner did not rule it out. Roger Clemens recently said, "I'm not going anywhere now, I know that for sure," but he didn't invoke his no-trade clause or slam the door, either. Some rival baseball executives believe Houston will deal Clemens for future help if it continues to stumble, especially if the Astros find a rich contender willing to rent him for half a season. The Yankees, meanwhile, watch with interest, but no public comment. Privately, they wonder if Clemens has a handshake deal with Houston owner Drayton McLane that would trigger a trade to the Yankees if Clemens wanted out. And what it would take to bring Clemens back. "This," said a National League executive, "is going to be something to watch." Joe Torre has said Robinson Cano reminds him of Rod Carew and perhaps he'd be a good mix with young Astro third baseman Morgan Ensberg, who McLane is particularly proud of. Of course, the Yankees might not be the only suitors. Clemens has a good relationship with Curt Schilling, which might facilitate a return to Boston. Still, the Astros say nothing is imminent.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/310572p-265720c.html

Rocket decides to finish out his career at home near his family in Houston. Rocket pitches lights-out and realizes he can still play with the best of them. Astros trade away all their bats and relief pitching and start sucking. Rocket sees the Yanks' need for pitching and considers trying to make one more run and win another championship. Will it happen? Frankly, I'm shocked he still is so good, and can't really blame him for wanting to play for a winner rather than wasting away for a loser. What's the point of pitching with a low ERA when your team can't provide run support?

[coachJ]

The only team he would go play for is New York, and even then he wouldnt have the luxuries of being with his family like he is now...he is able to stay at home with his family, do you think he will be able to do that in New York??? Also, Houston would be stupid to pull off a trade to send him to NY because the Yankees dont have any prospects ready for the majors....

[doublee]

And, Clemens for Cano straight up is not going to happen no matter how good Torre or the NY media thinks he is going to be. Quite honestly I doubt the Astros would be that interested in Cano seeing as their top prospect, Chris Burke, is a secondbaseman and Biggio is already at second and it does not look as though he is retiring any time soon. ESPN and the NY media keeps floating this idea that the Yankees are going to trade for Clemens the only problem being that I have yet to hear anyone come up with a viable trade scenario that the Yankees could even put together to get him.

In actuality the Astros did not trade any of their bats away. They thought Burke was ready to play fulltime, but he is not quite there yet, and they did not want to give Kent another 15-20 million dollar deal for another two or three years. The Mets outbid them for Beltran and Berkman blew out his knee playing in a pickup basketball game. The Astros have just had a string of bad luck with their lineup thus far.

Also, as Clemens pointed out in his recent ESPN interview the Astros sucked it up pretty bad the first half the season last year and then just tore the league up the last two and a half months of the season to get into the playoffs so he is not writing the Astros off just yet.

[bombers fan]

Beltran was there to lead them though. he was HUGE in the playoffs

[catman]

I really don't see the Rocket moving on anytime soon. He's home and comfortable, and in great form.

[themush]

This will never happen. He's "gone home". Kinda like that dog you had as a child.

[Billy D]

Originally posted by bombers fan
Beltran was there to lead them though. he was HUGE in the playoffs Not to mention Kent. Fortunately for their lineup, they just got Berkman back. For a while there they were without their 3 best hitters from the end of last season.

[doublee]

Quite honestly I have always thought this is something the NY media has chosen to run with because Clemens said the only other team he would even consider playing for is the Yankees and seeing as they still need another consistent arm the media up there decides that the Yankees are going to make a deal for Clemens. Yes, Clemens did say he would consider going back to NY, but he also told ESPN flat out that he is still happy pitching for the Astros and has not even mentioned being traded to his agent or the Astros. That is also when he went on to talk about how the Astros came together later in the season last year so it is too early to give up on his teammates at this time.

[Billy D]

...but we all know better than to believe Roger's word about these sorts of things. Remember "I always want to play in Boston" or "I'm retiring and never coming back". He speaks of the moment and only of the moment.

[Kashchei]

Clemens will stay in Houston because he has nothing left to win or prove (besides breaking a few more records). He'll stick it out this season, but don't be surprised if management trades him away; they already blew the Beltran deal.

[blackdogsong]

Roger is happy pitching at home and not having to travel. he is too comfortable in Houston to move anywhere... unless the fire comes back and he wants to make another run at a ring. the Yankees have no one they can really deal for Clemens since the Astros will, most likely, want players to help them right away. i see him finishing this career this or next season in Houston.

[Alex]

The Astros can't expect anything in return from a team, almost assuredly the Yankees, other than covering Clemens' salary and maybe a couple of nothing prospects. Essentially Clemens would be a $12 million dollar three month rental since he would return to Houston (or perhaps Texas) in 2006 or retire.

I would welcome Clemens back to the Yankees but only if he was acquired without surrendering a top prospect. Although Steinbrenner may think winning and present is most important, it is neccesary to look at the big picture, one that won't include Clemens.

[doublee]

So, if the Astros cannot expect anything in return then why trade him? The Astros have the money to cover his salary. They took the windfall they got from a local cable deal that they were going to spend on Beltran to Clemens. Besides that I am sure Clemens himself is responsible for generating a significant chunk of money to cover his salary anyways.

[Marc]

One more Clemens rumor:

Roger Clemens, the seven-time Cy Young Award winner, has expressed interest in joining the Texas Rangers, according to two people familiar with Clemens' thinking. Although the Rangers are a rare team that has used the same five starters since Opening Day, one executive with an American League team said he had little doubt Texas would have at least "some level of interest" if Clemens becomes available. The drive from Clemens' Houston-area home to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex takes about four hours. Rangers owner Tom Hicks seems more likely than the Yankees to grant Clemens the liberal schedule he has with the Astros. He is not required to attend games he's not pitching. If Hicks agreed to that structure, Clemens could virtually commute to Arlington from Houston.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/printedition/ny-sprocket024287086jun02,0,5709961,print.story?coll=ny-sports-print

[doublee]

Seems more likely especially if the Rangers have a good enough stick they are willing to part with.

[Kashchei]

Roger Clemens, the seven-time Cy Young Award winner, has expressed interest in joining the Texas Rangers, according to two people familiar with Clemens' thinking.

What's that supposed to mean? Did he say that or did the two people use their psychic powers to read his mind?

[coachJ]

In my opinion, as an Astros and Rangers fan(Astros more), this would be a great deal for both teams, if in fact the Astros got some good help out of it. The Astros have many holes to fill, and the Rangers need pitching, so i think this would be the best deal for the Astros seeing as how the Yankees dont have many good prospects....