P Roger Clemens filed for a record $22 million in salary arbitration today ; the Astros countered with a $13.5 million proposal.
Prior to today, the highest figure submitted in an arbitration hearing was $18.5 million in 2001 by the Yankees’ Derek Jeter (who subsequently signed a 10 year, $189 contract).
The highest salary earned by a pitcher to date was Pedro Martinez’ $17.5 million last season for Boston.
(one of these men is suspected of having taken many strange substances in order to prolong a career that should’ve ended years ago. And the other is Joe Perry).
It’s a good thing Clemens wasn’t expected to travel with the Astros on days he wasn’t scheduled to pitch, otherwise he’d probably have asked for $25 million.
Though it is doubtful this paticular arbitration case will actually be heard, it’s a shame Dan Duquette can’t make the decision.
The Mick Mars tribute fu manchu stache is on the wrong face.
ILB,
my guess is Clemens’ reps don’t really think he’ll get $22 million. They were just trying to come up with a figure that if added to the Astros’ offer, cut in half it would top the previous all-time salary for a pitcher….and going by arbitration logic, Clemens should probably get as much as Pedro or Randy Johnson.
There’s also an element of “this is how much it will cost to get me to play another year”. Keep in mind that even with attendence payoffs, Clemens made something like $5.6 million last year, so he’s probably looking to make up for that.