yanks sign clemens

boodhakdc · #1 04-25-2007, 01:29 PM

New York (AP-30 minutes ago)-- Retirement and the Hall of Fame will have to wait a little longer for Roger Clemens, because The Rocket has decided to go on one final mission for New York.
No. 22 agreed to terms Wednesday on a one-year deal with the Yankees to come back for a 23rd season, or at least the remaining five months of the current season.
The seven-time Cy Young Award winner ended his six-month retirement by accepting a deal that will pay him approximately $15.8 million -- the pro-rated value of a $25,000,000 seasonal contract -- to pitch for the Yankees for the balance of the current season. Until he joins the Yankees, Clemens is on a Minor League contract valued at $500,000 annually.
"Well, Here we go again," Clemens said. "I'm going to give it a shot. I'm committed to winning another World Series Ring."
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and Randy Hendricks, the agent who along with brother Alan represents Clemens, met late Tuesday night to iron out the contract details.
"There was no deal done yesterday, but I got a hold of Brian early in the evening and said, 'Why don't you come by my house and we can talk about this deal?' We got it done at about midnight last night; I talked to Roger real late. Clearly the other three teams [pursuing Clemens] -- Boston, [the New York Yankees], Texas and Houston -- did terrific jobs. It was a tough decision for Roger."
The decision came after months of soul searching by Clemens and weeks of waiting by the Astros, Yankees, Rangers and Red Sox, who had tendered offers to the right-hander in recent weeks. The Rangers were also in the hunt until they were informed on Monday that they were no longer in the running for Clemens.
Clemens said it was a "very difficult decision" and that all four teams made it tough to choose.
"I have to now take the next step to get my body ready to come back, to be effective, win games and do what I'm used to doing, and that's being extremely competitive at a high level," Clemens said. "My body feels good. Condition-wise, I'm great. I need some game experience. I haven't felt soreness in my legs like actual game situations."
Clemens' arrival couldn't come at a better time for the Yankees, who are currently in last place in the AL East.
Clemens was 20-14 with a Major League-leading 2.13 ERA in 51 regular-season starts for the Astros over the last 2 two years. He should provide an immediate boost to the Yankee rotation.
Clemens and the Yankees could both benefit from a shorter seasonal workload. Injuries slowed the 44-year-old late last season.
Now that's it a done deal, Clemens says the ball is in his court. Can he go through the grind one more time?
"Physically, I think I've got a chance," Clemens said. "Mentally, it's going to be tough."
The Yankees don't see it as a gamble.
Clemens has more career wins than any other living pitcher, ranking eighth all-time with 348 career victories. In 23 seasons with the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Astros and Yankees, Clemens is 348-178 with a 3.10 ERA and 4,604 career strikeouts. His strikeout total is second only to Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan (5,714) on the all-time list.
"He immediately makes our staff better, not just what he brings when he's on the field, but what he can teach some of the young pitchers on our staff and the example he sets," Cashman said. "We're extremely happy to have him back, whether it's a few months or a few weeks. He is going to help us immensely."