I can't say it wouldn't have been great having Clemens back in Boston...but...now that he's a Yankee...IT'S ON!!!
The only thing more satisfying than taking the division outright is to have Clemens pitch for the Yankees and to still take the division.
Also, I am not among them, but my guess is that most of the Yahoos in Boston will now never want Clemens to go into the hall as a Red Sox. He's obviously chosen, though.
Clemens is a 5 inning pitcher anyway, especially when converting to the AL. The Yankee bullpen needs more than this.
It sure looks like a $30MM (or even $35MM) deal prorated for the 2/3 of the season he will play. I don't think he is the answer, but he was the best option for now.
As I mentioned a bunch of times, the Yanks were bound to do something.
If healthy that is a match for Schilling, Beckett, Daisuke, Wake...
Tavarez v Yankees #5? It ain't Pavano...he's done.
The thing is that some regular Yankee starters have been knocked around by some pretty crappy teams...and their pen gives up runs like it is going out of style.
Some numbers are starting to emerge and it appears to be a $28MM prorated contract.
We'll be hearing an awful lot in the coming days about how this gives Roger a chance to connect with old friends, play for Joe, win a championship, etc.
Don't beleive any of it. The Yankees will pay him $4.5MM per month as ooposed to the $3.6MM HOU ponied up last year. No way HOU steps it up to that level. And the Sox have the best pitching (park adjusted) in the AL, probably didn't feel it was necessary. So once again with Rog it was all about the money.
Actually Kruk has already begun with the reasons for Rog going to NY - "This was an easier decision for Roger because he has the opportunity to revive a great franchise that respects him as well as getting the chance to pitch with his old friend Andy Pettitte."
Actually it was perfect timing for Clemens to pounce. In a month HOU may be out of it it. Boston may not need him at all. And NY even could in theory have things straightened out a bit and not be as desparate as they are today. If Mussina, Wang and Pettite string together some quality starts and Hughes is on the comeback trail, the Yanks may not be as quick to pony up the $$$$ - especially if HOU and BOS are not bidding. although I assume the Sox would have "bid" if only to drive up the price for NY. Like they did with Contreras and Pavano. Wink. Wink.
Just looked a the NY schedule and I'm sure they will bring him back Jun 8 against Pittsburgh and that will line him up for possibly 4 starts in a row against NL teams.
"Let's face it," Clemens told reporters in New York, "these guys know how to win."
Really? Jeter, Mo and Posada. Are the only ones that remain from the glory days. Throw in Pettite now that he is back.
A bunch of guys have sniffed the postseason, but only for short breaths – Cano, Cabrera, Farnsworth, Proctor, Wang, Vizcaino had a sniff. Cairo, same thing.
Cairo, Bruney
Igawa, Phelps and Nieves have never been.
There are a bunch of guys that were brought there to win, but haven’t – Giambi, Mussina, A-Rod, Matsui
So who else knows how to win? Oh yeah, Damon, Mienkiewicz and Meyers. Except that was at the Yankees expense. Same could be said for Pavano.
Oh yeah, these are just the excuses that Roger has to offer up instead of saying its all about the $$$
I was compelled to listen the Dennis and Callahan this morning to get their take...Callahan was on vacation (insert massive applause here)...
John Dennis put forth a very good thought...If Clemens goes to the Yankees and they continue to suck it is "not his fault". If they start to win he is "a savior".
If Clemens goes to the Red Sox and they win "they were already winning". If they start to lose it might be "his fault".
Clemens can only look good in NY.
With that said, does Clemens get his first start back against the Sox? Knowing Torre and his pension for protecting the egos of his players, I would say no way in hell does Clemens start until the 6th or 7th of June...
I can't say it wouldn't have been great having Clemens back in Boston...but...now that he's a Yankee...IT'S ON!!!
ReplyDeleteThe only thing more satisfying than taking the division outright is to have Clemens pitch for the Yankees and to still take the division.
Also, I am not among them, but my guess is that most of the Yahoos in Boston will now never want Clemens to go into the hall as a Red Sox. He's obviously chosen, though.
I think you are spot on re: all points.
ReplyDeleteClemens is a 5 inning pitcher anyway, especially when converting to the AL. The Yankee bullpen needs more than this.
It sure looks like a $30MM (or even $35MM) deal prorated for the 2/3 of the season he will play. I don't think he is the answer, but he was the best option for now.
As I mentioned a bunch of times, the Yanks were bound to do something.
Clemens, Pettitte, Mussina, Wang...
ReplyDeleteIf healthy that is a match for Schilling, Beckett, Daisuke, Wake...
Tavarez v Yankees #5? It ain't Pavano...he's done.
The thing is that some regular Yankee starters have been knocked around by some pretty crappy teams...and their pen gives up runs like it is going out of style.
Some numbers are starting to emerge and it appears to be a $28MM prorated contract.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be hearing an awful lot in the coming days about how this gives Roger a chance to connect with old friends, play for Joe, win a championship, etc.
Don't beleive any of it. The Yankees will pay him $4.5MM per month as ooposed to the $3.6MM HOU ponied up last year. No way HOU steps it up to that level. And the Sox have the best pitching (park adjusted) in the AL, probably didn't feel it was necessary. So once again with Rog it was all about the money.
Actually Kruk has already begun with the reasons for Rog going to NY - "This was an easier decision for Roger because he has the opportunity to revive a great franchise that respects him as well as getting the chance to pitch with his old friend Andy Pettitte."
Actually it was perfect timing for Clemens to pounce. In a month HOU may be out of it it. Boston may not need him at all. And NY even could in theory have things straightened out a bit and not be as desparate as they are today. If Mussina, Wang and Pettite string together some quality starts and Hughes is on the comeback trail, the Yanks may not be as quick to pony up the $$$$ - especially if HOU and BOS are not bidding. although I assume the Sox would have "bid" if only to drive up the price for NY. Like they did with Contreras and Pavano. Wink. Wink.
ReplyDeleteJust looked a the NY schedule and I'm sure they will bring him back Jun 8 against Pittsburgh and that will line him up for possibly 4 starts in a row against NL teams.
ReplyDelete"Let's face it," Clemens told reporters in New York, "these guys know how to win."
ReplyDeleteReally? Jeter, Mo and Posada. Are the only ones that remain from the glory days. Throw in Pettite now that he is back.
A bunch of guys have sniffed the postseason, but only for short breaths – Cano, Cabrera, Farnsworth, Proctor, Wang, Vizcaino had a sniff. Cairo, same thing.
Cairo, Bruney
Igawa, Phelps and Nieves have never been.
There are a bunch of guys that were brought there to win, but haven’t – Giambi, Mussina, A-Rod, Matsui
So who else knows how to win? Oh yeah, Damon, Mienkiewicz and Meyers. Except that was at the Yankees expense. Same could be said for Pavano.
Oh yeah, these are just the excuses that Roger has to offer up instead of saying its all about the $$$
I was compelled to listen the Dennis and Callahan this morning to get their take...Callahan was on vacation (insert massive applause here)...
ReplyDeleteJohn Dennis put forth a very good thought...If Clemens goes to the Yankees and they continue to suck it is "not his fault". If they start to win he is "a savior".
If Clemens goes to the Red Sox and they win "they were already winning". If they start to lose it might be "his fault".
Clemens can only look good in NY.
With that said, does Clemens get his first start back against the Sox? Knowing Torre and his pension for protecting the egos of his players, I would say no way in hell does Clemens start until the 6th or 7th of June...