Rocket to Rangers? People close to Clemens say he might agree to deal to Texas, though Yankees are still in mix BY JON HEYMAN AND KEN DAVIDOFF STAFF WRITERS June 2, 2005 The Yankees could have some competition for Roger Clemens' services, after all, and this would be a battle in which George Steinbrenner lacked the home-field advantage. The seven-time Cy Young Award winner has expressed interest in joining the Texas Rangers, according to two people familiar with Clemens' thinking. On Feb. 6, Newsday reported that Clemens, who will turn 43 Aug. 4, made a handshake agreement with Astros owner Drayton McLane upon signing a one-year, $18-million contract for 2005. McLane agreed to trade Clemens to the Yankees if the Astros fell out of the pennant race. In an interview with ESPN last month, Clemens, who refused to commit to playing the entire 2005 season with the Astros, said he would permit a trade only to the Yankees. Since then, however, the Rangers have surged, putting together a nine-game winning streak before losing last night in Detroit. Texas' hot streak apparently has piqued Clemens' interest in the Rangers. Although the Rangers are a rare team that has used the same five starters since Opening Day, one executive with an American League team said he had little doubt Texas would have at least "some level of interest" if Clemens becomes available. Any trade of Clemens would likely not occur until closer to the July 31 non-waivers trading deadline. McLane proved last season, when his club pulled off a remarkable late-season run, that he is reluctant to signal to his fans he is surrendering. But McLane, with Clemens' help, could sell a trade by touting the prospects received, money saved and the possibility of Clemens' return for 2006. Clemens owns a no-trade clause, and his $18-million contract for this season includes a $3-million kicker if he is dealt. The righthander, 3-3 with a sterling 1.30 ERA for the last-place Astros, has privately expressed admiration for the Rangers' powerful lineup, speculating that his record would be far better with the support of Texas' offense. Then there is the issue of proximity. The drive from Clemens' Houston-area home to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex takes about four hours. Rangers owner Tom Hicks seems more likely than the Yankees to grant Clemens the liberal schedule he has with the Astros. He is not required to attend games he's not pitching. If Hicks agreed to that structure, Clemens could virtually commute to Arlington from Houston. Hicks, who signed Alex Rodriguez to a 10-year, $252-million contract in December 2000, has been more financially conservative the last few years. Yet acquiring Clemens would present a short-term, if high-volume, investment that would be done by year's end. He would essentially pay for himself in increased attendance and souvenir sales, as he has with the Astros. Trading the team's top draw (and ace) to the Yankees or neighboring Rangers would generate negative reaction from Astros fans. The more McLane got for Clemens, the easier it would be to convince fans that the deal was worthwhile. The Rangers, by most accounts, have more to offer the Astros than the Yankees do. Although the Yankees have second baseman Robinson Cano and pitcher Chien-Ming Wang as trade chips, the Rangers boast a highly regarded minor-league crop, including pitchers John Danks, Thomas Diamond and Ricardo Rodriguez, shortstop Ian Kinsler and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Yet the Yankees still have great appeal to Clemens. He greatly enjoyed his five seasons in the Bronx, so when his January 2004 "unretirement" drew the ire of many Yankees fans, Clemens felt bad. Part of him, friends contend, wants to mend that fence. Clemens enjoyed pitching for manager Joe Torre and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, and he even had a mostly positive relationship with Steinbrenner. But Torre has said publicly that he wouldn't approve of Clemens' "part-time" schedule; given the Yankees' preponderance of superstars, it would be more difficult for such an arrangement to fly. Steinbrenner, not Torre, of course, would ultimately decide this issue. Yankees people privately have expressed concerns about Boston's possible involvement but still seem fairly confident they won't lose Clemens to their archrival. There's little evidence to suggest he is as interested in returning to Boston as he is in returning to the Bronx or going to Texas. Da Bronx or Arlington? As Roger Clemens contemplates his future over the next couple of months, here are some pros and cons that may factor into his decision: YANKEES Pros He can make amends with the Yankees fans who disowned him following his January 2004 "unretirement." Once the fans forgive him (which would take roughly 30 seconds), he'll get the energy rush -- and the endorsement opportunities -- from pitching in New York again. He knows Joe Torre and Mel Stottlemyre and enjoys working for them. Cons The Yankees would be reluctant to grant Clemens the sort of leeway (missing several games to spend time with his family) he receives from the Astros. Given the ridiculously high expectations in New York, Clemens could tarnish his Yankees legacy if he pitched poorly in September or October. The Yankees have fewer prospects to offer than the Rangers, and Clemens wants the Astros to get as good a deal as they can in return for him. RANGERS Pros The Rangers would likely be more open-minded to Clemens' scheduling needs than the Yankees would, and The Rocket could essentially commute from his Houston home to Arlington. He would instantly become the greatest player in Rangers history, surpassing even his idol Nolan Ryan. The Rangers' lineup probably would provide more run support than the Yankees'. Cons Ameriquest Field in Arlington is a hitters' ballpark. Few accomplished veterans have enjoyed playing for the Rangers' controlling manager Buck Showalter. The Rangers have fewer accomplished veterans for Clemens to befriend. - KEN DAVIDOFF http://www.newsday.com/sports/printedition/ny-sprocket024287086jun02,0,589968.s tory?coll=ny-sports-print http://www.newsday.com/sports/printedition/ny-sprocket024287086jun02,0,589968.s tory?page=2&coll=ny-sports-print --

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