The ink is barely dry on Rogers Clemens’ massive one-year deal with Houston, and the New York Post’s Joel Sherman is already predicting a mid-season trade.
There are certain signs that you have been at one job too long. Here’s mine: Roger Clemens signs a pitchers’ record $18 million contract yesterday with the Astros and the first thought is not “Good for him,” or “Good for Houston,” or even “Wow.” The first thought is a contract like that means Roger Clemens is going to end the 2005 season as either a Yankee or a Red Sox.
A more serious consideration of a new job would have been necessary, except an AL executive said this yesterday: “If the Astros are a non-contender in July, I would put it at 80 percent that Clemens would be a Yankee or a Red Sox. The reality is those are the only two places he would consider going.”
The Yanks and Red Sox both came sniffing at Clemens last year when Houston appeared a pretender, 51-52 on July 31. Houston management decided to keep Clemens and Carlos Beltran, and the go-for-it panache was rewarded with a major league-best 41-18 record thereafter and the NL wild card.
That choice was easier then. Clemens’ base salary was $5 million ($3.5 million of which was deferred), and he was more than paying for himself by packing Minute Maid Park. Can the Astros be so blasé this year if non-contention comes when Clemens’ payday is more than three times greater? Or are we looking at Kevin Brown’s late-season substitute in New York? Clemens just replaced Pedro Martinez as the highest paid pitcher ever; could he go back to where he started to finish as Martinez’ Boston stand-in?
Clemens and Randy Johnson in one rotation is a fireballing George Steinbrenner dream. Curt Schilling pitching with his mentor, Clemens, would be another sign The Curse is gone forever. Ever since Clemens received that standing-ovation, Fenway sendoff in September 2003, I have sensed an open door for him to return. Wade Boggs, who also left under bad conditions, will go into the Hall of Fame this summer as a Red Sox. Maybe Boston has just begun an era of righting all past wrongs. The Boss, of course, will not let that happen without a spirited tussle.
There is validity to Sherman’s prediction, because after all, nothing of significance could occur in baseball without New York or Boston having the final say.
As much as the Yanks/Sox have been bringing the serious October drama, the year-round attention axis on these two teams can be wearying to the rest of us at times. Speaking of the AL East, wasnt this the winter where Mr Angelos was going to open up the pocketbook and bring in some pitching to augment the decent-hitting Orioles? Or has the relocation of the Expos to DC closed said purse?
Chuck, if the Yanks/Sox-centric media are bumming you out, there are always options available. You can move to New York or Boston. Failing that, there’s suicide. It worked for Hemingway and Ian Curtis, and perhaps it’ll pay off for you too.
re : the O’s. You might remember Angelos opened up the pocketbook last year for Sidney Ponson, Miguel Tejada and Javy Lopez. Which starters did Baltimore have a realistic shot at this year….and please don’t say Jon Lieber, I really don’t think that would’ve placated anyone in Charm City.
I was under the impression that the O’s would again be in a spending mode and am surprised that they havent made much of an effort at all in even getting a third starter on a “safe” deal a la Kevin Millwood. I wouldnt let the perennial Yanks/Sox drama ever drive me to pull a Darby Crash move (and will sit back and enjoy come October), however, if the Eagles fail to show up again at the Linc tomorrow…..
there’s still plenty of time for Baltimore to invite Pete Harnisch to spring training. Failing that, I hear Mark Langston still looks terrific (with his clothes on)