No arbitration for Roger.

[lal4l]

Yup just saw it on ESPN. Very upset but explain why they do this..

[Toy Cannon]

DALLAS - 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.

"This is probably one of the more gut-wrenching, difficult decisions we've made as an organization," general manager Tim Purpura said. "It's one of these things that you regret to have to do. ... We need to move forward and we don't know just what Roger's status will be for next year."

Clemens 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.

While the Astros won't rule out the possibility of Clemens pitching for them from May 1 on, Purpura said "nobody should pin their hopes" on that happening.

"I'd love to have an answer today that he would come back," manager Phil Garner said. "In the event that that's not going to happen, this is the best possible scenario, to move forward."

With 341 victories, Clemens is ninth on the career list with the most wins among living pitchers. His 4,502 strikeouts are second only to Nolan Ryan's 5,714.

[rockin500]

you know, maybe its a good thing for roger too. get him ready for the WBC, then he can train smartly for a coupla months, and then come into play on May 1 for houston. then he might last through september instead of fading down the stretch.

[Baseball Guru]

I agree Ray.... At his age, it gives him his time with the WBC and then some extra time to decide and train if he wishes to come back after May 1st... I would be SHOCKED to see him sign with another team other than the Astros....

[barzilla]

The Astros made the right move. They cannot continue to allow a single player to hijack their off-season. Now they have a fighting chance to address some of their other needs through free agency or trades. Make no mistake, they won't spend all of the 18 million, but they may spend half.

Those of you concerned with having Wandy and Zeke at the bottom of the rotation should remember that the Astros are deep in starting pitching. You could see Buckholz, Nieve, or even Hirsch sometime in 2006. Since Purpura is a little looser about his use of youngsters, I wouldn't be surprised to see Hirsch make the team out of Spring Training. I also hear they have a certain Italian lefty that had a strong year in AA. :)

The team doesn't need to throw a bunch of money around for a mediocre starter. They can fly under the radar and augment their outfield, shortstop, or catcher position through shrewd signings or trades. If they do that they should be competitive again with an opportunity to gell when the young pitching starts to take hold.

[Greymire]

I am not so sure on this one. Do not forget about the Texas Rangers. He talked with them before the Astros. That said, I agree that it will all depend on how he does in the WBC. I think if he does well there he will be energized and want to play again.

[Astro Annie]

I think a May return is far-fetched.. Yet that's all some people are talking about. My feeling is they should get over it and get on with their lives. If he comes back, that's great, but don't talk about it like it's a sure thing because it isn't.

I've even heard some folks say that Rocket was in on the decision not to offer him arbitration so he could come back in May at a discount. C'mon, this is the guy who asked for $22 million for 2005--I don't see a discount as realistic.