NY Yankees, BOS Red socks and HOU Astros all want Roger Clemens to come back and pitch half the season in their respective colors, but there’s a forth team who’s got a great shot at recruiting The Rocket: RE Tirement. But, lets consider them all after some tasteful but brief set up.
Last year, working out with his injured son Koby was the reason Roger felt like he stayed in good enough shape that he was in a position to come back and pitch after the All Star break. He chose the Astros for many reasons, a few of them being Houston is his home town and the Astros agreed to let him hang out at home when he wasn’t pitching—I’m not sure who hired the slaves to fan him on his thrown of cushions on the off days.
This year, the favorite seems to be the Yankees. Enough so that Robinson Cano surrendered his jersey number (voluntarily) so there wouldn’t be a conflict if Clemens decided to rejoin newly reacquired Andy Petite.
The Rocket has made statements towards the end that if he were to come back (again) it would to a team with a chance for the postseason. So, maybe not the Astros.
What doesn’t have to be said is that the team would also have to afford him—giving the Astros and their smaller budget something to consider, save for a chance that Clemens might come back (again) and pitch for half the season, or invest the money elsewhere.
Boston has two pitchers over 40 in Wakefield and Schilling—even as a fan of the knuckleball, of the two, I’d bet on Schilling having a competitive season. Roger doesn’t really seem to fit into Boston’s current rotation, and I’m not sure who they would knock back into the bullpen.
The last option no one seems to be talking about: Retirement. Roger is quotes as saying, “I don’t want to play.” The reasons he continues to entertain the notion seem to be wrapped around a team (well, one of three teams) needing him to come pitch, presumably after the all star break
So, all that has to happen for the Rocket to take the mound this year (again) are:
1. Room on the rotation (probably knocking a starter to the bullpen, and a bullpen guy back to the minors)
2. Room enough in the budget they could probably spend on two other players.
3. Said team must be bound for the post season (possible pact with Satan my be required)
