ROCKET LANDS IN THE BRONX

[rician blast]

I know' date=' but it has always seemed strange to me, to same way Bonds hitting homeruns at a more prolific rate after the age of 35 seems strange.[/quote']

 

Good point...MLB has said they don't test for certain drugs (HGH I believe being one of them). You KNOW there are a ton of guys doing s*** now that isn't detected. So why trust anyone to be clean?

 

well except Schilling, I think that physique speaks for itself.

[rician blast]

I'm in shock; I definitely thought he'd end up in Boston.

 

Boston, IMO, was NEVER an option because of the risk involved. Despite his numbers in Boston, he was essentially a playoff flop for the Sox. A blister here, an implosion there...coming to Boston and being counted on...then not delivering AGAIN...would have been a huge hit to his legacy.

 

New York was an easy decision for him...he already has WS titles with the Yankees, although to be honest the Yanks carried HIM to the championship as opposed to him carrying them. Once again he'll be backed by the best line-up in baseball, and if the Yanks come back and do something big this year he'll gladly accept accolades. If not, well he has his past Yankee success to fall back on.

[a700hitter]

Look' date=' the jury is still very much out as to whether this is a good signing. People were pissed when the Sox were outbid by New York for Carl Pavano too...[/quote']Pavano should never be mentioned in the same breath as Roger Clemens. That's baseball blasphemy. Pavano was never an elite pitcher never mind a HOF caliber pitcher.

[ryanromine]

John Kruck is my hero! LOL He just said that the Rocket is not enough and that the Sox have better starting pitcher. AMEN

[rician blast]

He wants money AND a championship.

Look at the Yankee rotation by july:

 

Clemens

Wang

Moose

Pettitte

Hughes

 

Clemens is your predicted #1 over Wang?

 

What an idiot.

[ANiMAL]

I figure in the 20 starts Clemes wouldnt have made for the Yankees, they would have gone 10-10; but now with Roger, in those 20 games they will go 15-5. Therefore I conclude that the Yankees have just spent $28 mil on 5 wins.

[rician blast]

How about faulting a team for spending $150 million to finish in 3rd place.

 

So basically, you are saying it is ok to spend money if it wins you games? Great. Talk to you in a month. Better yet, look at the last 11 seasons standings for the AL East.

 

Look, you guys are now in the same boat as we are. As long as George is alive, we will outspend you. Period. As long as Henry is around, you will outspend everyone else. End of story. Your argument about money rings extremely hollow considering you spent $200 million LAST OFFSEASON.

 

You know what's funny? Go back and look at the posts. When you got Matsuzaka, I congratulated your front office and your fans. Numerous times. I am a good sport, after all

 

When we got Clemens....

 

Case closed.

 

Very good move by the Yankees. If you have the dough and you have the holes they do, make a splash...and they did exactly that.

 

All the bickering is a little silly, really. As GOM has indicated, the Yankees will always outspend the Red Sox, so they'll always have that advantage. This much we know to be true, so I can't personally get too worked up over it.

 

IMO, the Yankees are not done, either. The state of their BP being what it is, look for them to make a trade at some point in what amounts to a salary dump by some floundering team...after all they're the organization most able to absorb the hit and they'll aggressively pursue whatever options are out there, regardless of cost.

 

The team from the Bronx will be coming hard, of that I'm sure.

[TheKilo]

 

The team from the Bronx will be coming hard, of that I'm sure.

 

lol

[TheKilo]

They should have met the Yankees offer. It was a mistake not to do so.

 

Highly disagree...even if the $28 million was prorated.

 

 

Look, signing Clemens is an improvement for them, but then again signing anyone with MLB experience would be an improvement for their starting rotation. I still think they are in the same boat as before, relying on their "big three" to eat innings for them because Clemens is not going to be able to do so. The guy barely averages 6 innings per start in the NL central...the place where 83 win teams make the playoffs.

 

I do think this move makes the Yankees better. I do think the Yankees are far from being done. I don't think the move improves them as much as the name "Roger Clemens" suggests.

[a700hitter]

Highly disagree...even if the $28 million was prorated.

 

 

Look, signing Clemens is an improvement for them, but then again signing anyone with MLB experience would be an improvement for their starting rotation. I still think they are in the same boat as before, relying on their "big three" to eat innings for them because Clemens is not going to be able to do so. The guy barely averages 6 innings per start in the NL central...the place where 83 win teams make the playoffs.

 

I do think this move makes the Yankees better. I do think the Yankees are far from being done. I don't think the move improves them as much as the name "Roger Clemens" suggests.

Clemens would not have been a huge upgrade over Tavarez. Would $18 million be worth it if it makes the difference between the playoffs/World Championship and second place? I think so.

[CrespoBlows]

It was prorated at the rate of $28 million. He will be getting $18 million.

 

The Yankees are above the luxury tax. They will be paying $28 million for four months of Roger Clemens.

 

Neither of these guys should be mentioned in the same sentence with Clemens.

 

Clemens, the 45 year old right-hander, who is a five inning pitcher in the AL East? Or Clemens, the Cy Young award winner?

 

Again, I didn't say that Lester will match Clemens, I said that he is a better bet at $300,000 then Clemens at $30,000,000.

 

Clemens likely isn't going to dominate. He will need his bullpen to pitch at least three or four innings every start to help him out.

 

Shame on you. Again, as with Damon, this is a double blow. We didn't improve ourselves, and the Yankees improved themselves significantly.

 

Again, we would have needed to go AT LEAST $30 million to reel in Clemens. That is insanity.

[TheKilo]

Clemens would not have been a huge upgrade over Tavarez. Would $18 million be worth it if it makes the difference between the playoffs/World Championship and second place? I think so.

 

It wouldn't be $18 million, like CB said, it'd beat least $30 million to get Clemens.

 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? best record in the AL with Tavarez in the 5th spot?

 

I agree again with CB, I think Lester will put up comparable stats to Clemens for 27.5 million less.

[TheKilo]

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/jacksox/rogerrrrrrr.jpg

 

Ahhh, innuendo.

[a700hitter]

It wouldn't be $18 million' date=' like CB said, it'd beat least $30 million to get Clemens.[/quote']Even the FO can't use the luxury tax spin in light of their drunken spending over the winter, but feel free to give them an excuse that they are too ashamed to make for themselves.

If it ain't broke' date=' don't fix it, right? best record in the AL with Tavarez in the 5th spot?[/quote']So Clemens would not be an improvement over Tavarez? Come on now. Won't he improve your chief competitors? Improving yourself while weakening your opponent is a double whammy.

 

I agree again with CB' date=' I think Lester will put up comparable stats to Clemens for 27.5 million less.[/quote']Lester=Clemens? This is in the category of blasphemy.

[TheKilo]

Even the FO can't use the luxury tax spin in light of their drunken spending over the winter' date=' but feel free to give them an excuse that they are too ashamed to make for themselves.[/quote']

 

Here's the thing though. How do you know Clemens wanted to go back to the Red Sox? If the teams offered comparable money, I think Clemens still goes to the Ynkees because he's buddy buddy with guys like Torre and Pettite.

 

It would have taken a much larger offer from the Sox to land him. The Yankees would have just continued to increase their offer. At what point do you draw the line for a 45 year old pitcher who can only throw 6 innings at best?

 

So Clemens would not be an improvement over Tavarez? Come on now. Won't he improve your chief competitors? Improving yourself while weakening your opponent is a double whammy.

 

This is a fair point. Getting Clemens would have been a killer for the Yankees. It may have buried their season. However, looking back (and yes I know hindsight is 20/20), it seemed Clemens never had any intentions of going back to Boston. I think it was wise of the FO to not drop $35-40 million on Clemens.

 

Lester=Clemens? This is in the category of blasphemy.

 

They can never be equal. But I do believe a young Jon Lester can put up comparable numbers to 44 (soon to be 45) year old Roger Clemens.

[26 to 6]

Good. Can't wait to welcome him back to the AL East.

I feel a trip to Boston approaching in my veins. Time to hit up eBay, I reckon.

 

 

....I was at Giants Stadium for Bamboozle this weekend, so I didnt find out right away. When I got to my car at like 11:30 last night I noticed I had a message from my girlfriend and she was screaming. So after a restless night, and a late morning I figured I would chime in. Mostly everybody here knows how much I love Rog, so i'm certainly satisfied. I'll refrain from rubbing it in, I suppose.

 

...just a side note though, it occurred to me that since Hughes was placed on the DL while on the active roster, he will probably stick around here in NY for a little bit until he begins to rehab. Having Roger around to show him some things will probably help him out quite a bit, or at least I anticipate that to be the case. Roger has stated how much he enjoys working with young pitchers and whatnot, so i'm sure he'd be delighted to work with Phil.

 

Despite the record, our results against the Sox, our place in the standings, and all of our injuries; today, all is well in Yankee Land!

[Gom]

The truth is that most of this is just sour grapes from most of you guys.

 

Here is a better question. For this season, and this season only...Clemens or Dice-K? I'm curious as to what you guys think about this one.

[MANNYHOF24]

The truth is that most of this is just sour grapes from most of you guys.

 

Here is a better question. For this season, and this season only...Clemens or Dice-K? I'm curious as to what you guys think about this one.

 

This is a very unanswerable question. For one we have not seen DiceK pitch enough to know how good he can be. With Roger I think he is going to have an ERA around 4.00 in the AL. From what all the scouts say, DiceK should get better.

[Gom]

This is a very unanswerable question. For one we have not seen DiceK pitch enough to know how good he can be. With Roger I think he is going to have an ERA around 4.00 in the AL. From what all the scouts say' date=' DiceK should get better.[/quote']

 

Well, if it was cut and dry, then what would be the point of the question?

 

So, as of today, May 7th, who would you rather have, Dice-K or Clemens, for this season only?

[TheKilo]

Well, if it was cut and dry, then what would be the point of the question?

 

So, as of today, May 7th, who would you rather have, Dice-K or Clemens, for this season only?

 

Dice-K. His peripheral numbers are excellent and can pitch longer than 5 innings.

[rician blast]

The truth is that most of this is just sour grapes from most of you guys.

 

 

Sour grapes? That's interesting rhetoric, but I don't think even YOU believe that GOM. A couple of things to consider regarding Red Sox fans' views of this Yankee signing:

 

(1) I think most Red Sox fans considered it unlikely that he'd come to Boston anyway because (a) the Yankees would outbid the Sox and ( they understood that Clemens would not take on such a risky proposition in terms of his legacy.

 

(2) Desperate times require desperate measures...the Sox are playing well and sit atop the AL east. Even if positions were reversed, the Sox would take a somewhat more reserved approach toward Clemens, despite what might have transpired in the off-season.

 

Meanwhile, the Yankees ARE desperate...in fact I think desperation, as defined by the Yankees, is any situation where they're not clearly driving toward the playoffs. Any faltering, even as early as May 6th, is viewed as desperation by the Yankees brass.

 

Get over yourself, big guy, and don't confuse "sour grapes" with what is more likely a bit of apprehension regarding the Yankees ability to make personnel moves that turn the tide.

[BudLight]

The Yanks budgeted (I know Yanks and budget are an oxymoron) $25.5 M for Clemens coming out of Spring Training. They ended up paying $28M prorated ($18M actual + luxury tax). Will Clemens be the savior in NY this year, no, will he improve the rotation, definitely. With their offense and run support Clemens should flourish there this year, if the bullpen can hold a lead. I just have to add, it is humorous read all of these postings and watch the salary number go anywhere from $18M to $35M

[Gom]

I don't have an answer for it myself. I'm just wondering what you guys think. I'm sure all of you would take Beckett and Schilling over Clemens, but I wonder if you would take Dice-K over him.

 

As for Clemens being a savior, that's a little extreme. However, the Yankee bullpen is better than it's shown so far, since it is so overworked. Given rest [now that is funny, considering Torre is the manager], they are a very strong bullpen. Their rotation should be able to help the bullpen take a day off and rest up a bit.

 

I'm not sold on Hughes yet, but if he is the real deal, that injury may have been the best thing that happened to the Yankees. It sped up the process of Clemens, and when he comes back, there is no reason to pace Hughes since he already missed two months of the season, and he would be right in line with his innings allotment the Yankees have set for him.

 

I still think, even with a 5.5 game lead, the Yankees are the better team when it comes to the Red Sox. Conventional wisdom states that all teams should expect three major injuries over the course of a season. Not counting Pavano, the Yankees have had two, Hughes and Karstens. I figure their luck should be getting better, and yours to come down a bit.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

Even the FO can't use the luxury tax spin in light of their drunken spending over the winter, but feel free to give them an excuse that they are too ashamed to make for themselves.So Clemens would not be an improvement over Tavarez? Come on now. Won't he improve your chief competitors? Improving yourself while weakening your opponent is a double whammy.

 

Lester=Clemens? This is in the category of blasphemy.

 

Sorry if I'm not responding to the exact points mentioned in the above quotes, instead I'm replying to your general point of the Sox erred by not signing Clemens. First, you assumed that the Sox could have signed Roger by matching or slightly increasing the Yankee's offer.That would have been an exercise in futility. The Yankee's are desperate for pitching, and the best free agent can be obtained for cash only, end of story. So what you are saying is, the Sox should get in a straight head to head open bidding war with the Yankee's over what would be a 4 or 5 for us. For the sake of discussion, let's say we got him ( which never would have happened, since the Yankee's would have paid whatever it takes ), he'd be a # 4 or # 5 on the the Sox's current staff. So you're telling me that a 40+ year old, that pitched in the NL, averaging 5-6 innings per start, a projected ERA in the AL east of 3.50 - 4.0 +, should be the highest paid pitcher on the Sox staff ? I'm sorry he's not worth it. Maybe to the Yanks, but certainly not to the Sox. Personally, I think he's a pitcher that's past his usefulness, over priced, and he's never proved to be clutch in the play-offs.

I'm glad the Yank's got him, he'll only wear down the bull pen and let them down in the play-offs ( if they make it ).

[CrespoBlows]

Even the FO can't use the luxury tax spin in light of their drunken spending over the winter' date=' but feel free to give them an excuse that they are too ashamed to make for themselves.[/quote']

 

Do you even know what you are talking about?

 

The luxury tax line is at about $140 million dollars this year, meaning the Red Sox are about $3 million over. Signing Clemens would put them at $30 million or even greater. Even if the luxury tax were not an issue, it isn't a wise investment to give 45 year old pitchers, $30 million dollars.

 

So Clemens would not be an improvement over Tavarez? Come on now.

 

No one said that.

 

Everyone said that Clemens would be an improvement, just the price is not justified at $30 million.

 

Won't he improve your chief competitors? Improving yourself while weakening your opponent is a double whammy.

 

The Red Sox have nor gained or lost anyone. How are they weaker? Comparatively?

 

Lester=Clemens? This is in the category of blasphemy.

 

No one said that.

[CrespoBlows]

I don't have an answer for it myself. I'm just wondering what you guys think. I'm sure all of you would take Beckett and Schilling over Clemens' date=' but I wonder if you would take Dice-K over him.[/quote']

 

If I made the pick April 1st, I would choose Dice-K. I had him posting a 3.45 ERA.

 

Right now? I would take Clemens.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

I don't have an answer for it myself. I'm just wondering what you guys think. I'm sure all of you would take Beckett and Schilling over Clemens' date=' but I wonder if you would take Dice-K over him.[/quote']

 

Yes, I'd take Dice-K over Clemens all day and every day. Just compare the upsides and downsides, no contest.

[adam123]

I take dice-k just cause hes younger . have fun roger not making the playoffs .

[CrespoBlows]

I take dice-k just cause hes younger . have fun roger not making the playoffs .

 

Just this season.

[adam123]

sox fan on the cape where ya from ? i use to live in p town ? hoe long you been on cape ?