Clemens Not Offered Arbitration (A-P Arbitration Thread)

[Valadius]

Astros set Rocket loose
By STEPHEN HAWKINS, AP Sports Writer
December 7, 2005

DALLAS (AP) -- The Houston Astros declined to offer salary arbitration to Roger Clemens on Wednesday, a move that means he can't re-sign with the National League champions until May 1.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner spent the last two seasons with his hometown team and hasn't decided whether to pitch next year or retire. At 43, he led the major leagues in ERA at 1.87, going 13-8 to help the Astros reach the World Series for the first time.

He made $18 million, and the Astros didn't want to risk going to salary arbitration while they awaited his decision whether to play. Clemens still intends to pitch for the United States in March during the inaugural World Baseball Classic.

"We expected this because we talked a great deal about this," said his agent, Randy Hendricks. "It's no surprise."

Clemens had an injured leg and back late in the season and was forced out of his start in Game 1 of the World Series against the Chicago White Sox after only two innings.

Houston's decision could lead to other teams trying to lure Clemens, such as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, two of his former clubs.

"If anybody calls, we'll listen," Hendricks said.

He doesn't expect Clemens to make a call about pitching next season for at least a month.

"Nothing has changed about his plan to decide in late January, early February," Hendricks said, adding that Clemens' performance in the WBC could play a part in the decision.

"I expect that will be a form of a litmus test to see how feels about playing mentally and physically," he said.

[Guest SwitchHitter]

Yay! *dances around the room*

He had said he wouldn't be ready to decide until a couple weeks before pitchers and catchers. By my calendar that's when arbitration hearings begin. And the Astros sure don't wanna go to a hearing after paying him $18 million last season. If I already didn't hate him, I'd be hating him just for that.

I am so happy that I'm speechless.

[Centerfield]

I wonder if the Asshead is thinking about heading back to the Bronx.

[Guest SwitchHitter]

He'll let you know in February.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Centerfield wrote: I wonder if the Asshead is thinking about heading back to the Bronx.

Or to Flushing. Omar is looking for a pitcher.

[nymr83]

your new logo should be labeled "Christmas Tree" just in case some moron who has taken political correctness too far wishes to call it a holiday tree...

[/end rant]

i really hope Clemens retires i hate that guy. and i hope even more that he doesnt become a yankee again.

[Valadius]

He ought to retire now. Let the luster of that 1.87 ERA stay with him.

[soupcan]

Centerfield wrote: I wonder if the Asshead is thinking about heading back to the Bronx.

Of course he is. Dude, he'll go where the $$$$ is. That's what he does.

[Valadius]

In other arbitration news:

Frank Thomas not offered arbitration by the White Sox.

Jeff Weaver offered arbitration by the Dodgers.

[Valadius]

Also not offered arbitration:

Bengie Molina and Jarrod Washburn, Angels.

Bengie must be smarting from this one. He's going to get considerably less money than he thought he would get.

[soupcan]

Valadius wrote: Bengie must be smarting from this one. He's going to get considerably less money than he thought he would get.

Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered.

[smg58]

Clemens in pinstripes wouldn't surprise me. Then again, I wouldn't necessarily put it beyond Minaya to bring Clemens here, regardless or whether or not we like the guy.

The Astros basically had no choice on this one. You couldn't even tell if Clemens means it if he were to say he's retiring, and the Astros can't plan their season around a major player who may or may not re-sign. They'll have enough trouble figuring out Bagwell's future.

[Guest GYC]

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=MLB&id=5757
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051207&content_id=1278606&vkey=hotstove2005&fext=.jsp

]Ricardo Rincon - R - Athletics Athletics offered arbitration to LHP Ricardo Rincon; declined to offer arbitration to 1B Erubiel Durazo, 1B Scott Hatteberg, RHP Octavio Dotel and C Alberto Castillo. MLB.com is saying Rincon agreed to reject the offer to give himself more time to negotiate with Oakland. He's not a Type A or B free agent, so there won't be any draft compensation for signing him. Dec. 7 - 9:24 pm et Source: athletics.mlb.com

Durazo was a dissapointment last year. I thought I stole him in the 20th or so round. Guess not.

[Guest GYC]

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=MLB&id=5484

]Johnny Damon - OF - Red Sox Red Sox offered arbitration to OF Johnny Damon, 3B Bill Mueller and 2B Tony Graffanino; declined to offer arbitration to 1B John Olerud, 1B Kevin Millar, LHP Mike Myers and RHP Matt Mantei. This appears to clear the way for Myers to join the Yankees. The Red Sox didn't think it was worth paying $1.5 million-$2 million for a guy who probably wouldn't throw 40 innings. They might target Ricardo Rincon or trade for a lefty at a later date. Among the players being offered arbitration, we can only see Graffanino as a candidate to accept. Now that they have Mark Loretta, the Red Sox would probably prefer that he didn't. Dec. 7 - 9:09 pm et

[Guest GYC]

]Jose Vizcaino - 2B - Astros Astros declined to offer arbitration to infielder Jose Vizcaino. We're surprised the Astros couldn't work anything out with Vizcaino, who had been with the club the last five years. He'll land a reserve job elsewhere. The Astros said they haven't decided whether to offer arbitration to Brad Ausmus or Orlando Palmeiro. Negotations are ongoing. Dec. 7 - 8:09 pm et

I could see him ending up on the Mets, especially since Mark Sweeney signed with Giants today.

[Guest KC]

>>>I wouldn't necessarily put it beyond Minaya to bring Clemens here<<<

I'll leave a pair of shorts in the hamper until April and eat them at Gate C on
opening day if Clemens becomes a NY Met.

[metirish]

I just watched Gamons on ESPN Motion and he talked about the options for Asshead, he could retire, a team like the Redsox might say here's $15 million come pitch for us, back to the Bronx, or what Gammons thinks might happen, Asshead will pitch for the USA in the WBC and then see weather he wants to play for anyone, oh and the rangers could be players for him, like Ryan he could follow that road.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Vizcaino's going to the Dodgers to backup all infield positions. You heard it here first.

[metirish]

Did you hear that from your people in Dallas Edgy?

[Guest Edgy DC]

I think Jeff Kent has a gravitational force that constantly draws Jose Vizcaino to him.

[nymr83]

]I think Jeff Kent has a gravitational force that constantly draws Jose Vizcaino to him.

teams they have been on together:

'94 NYM
'95 NYM
'96 NYM & CLE
'97 SF
'03 HOU
'04 HOU

'06 LA?

They've been together for 6 years (certainly not a record) but on 4 different teams! (5 if vizcaino join LA) have any other players played on the same team for 4 different franchises?

[Gwreck]

Call me crazy, but the Astros not offering arbitration to Clemens doesn't necessarily mean that he won't pitch for them, does it?

If we believe that Clemens only wants to pitch for Houston, wouldn't it be possible for him to simply spend the spring and April getting in shape/building up his health so that he could sign with them May 1 and then be a more effective pitcher for them in the summer/potential playoffs?

If they're willing to give him roadtrips off, why not give him the first month off?

Edit: No plagarism intended but I now see that that Frayed Knot actually made this point on the Piazza/arbitration thread about an hour before I did here.

[Valadius]

Also offered arbitration:

Bernie Williams and Al Leiter, MFYs.

[Frayed Knot]

Yanx & Bernie did that 'We'll offer only if you promise to decline' stunt.
It allows Bernie to keep the MFYs as an option for another month or so but also reduces his market value a bit since now any other team signing him will be required to cough up draft picks.

[Guest silverdsl]

Yep, Williams will likely be back with the Yankees as a backup centerfielder/designated hitter/pinch hitter. Which is unfortunate since he can't hit, field or run the bases too well anymore.

I really hope the Yankees don't go after Clemens. While there's no doubt that he can still get the job done as a pitcher he's one of the few players that I will go so far as to call an asshat. I hope he retires.

[Guest SwitchHitter]

Gwreck wrote: Call me crazy, but the Astros not offering arbitration to Clemens doesn't necessarily mean that he won't pitch for them, does it?

Don't say that. I just came to complain about all the Astros fans who can't seem to let him go and who are talking about his return in May to pitch a shorter season and thus not start to break down in September.

Astros pitching--it's not all about Roger Clemens.

[Elster88]

Jacque Jones to turn down arbitration

[Guest 86-Dreamer]

hopefully one of those multiyear offers on the table for Jones is not from the Mets. Similar offensively to Diaz/Nady and probably a better defensive player, but not so much so to justify the dollars and years he is looking for.

[nymr83]

]Astros pitching--it's not all about Roger Clemens.

when you've a got 1.87 ERA its kind of hard for everything not to be about you.