Clemens Watch

In the world of watching Clemens in a possible return, excellent news has surfaced.

FSN and the Boston Globe have reported that a source close to Clemens says that he has stepped up his workout regimen, to see if his body will be able to handle a final year of baseball. Additionally, the source indicated that Clemens has decided that if he returns to the majors, it will be with either his hometown astros or the team that he began with, the Red Sox.

With David Wells' recent injury (again) this could be just what the sox need for a fifth starter.

Excellent. Just plain excellent.

Here's to hoping Roger makes it to Fenway in 2006.

Rocket Meter: 45%

Clemens Watch

The Houston Astros made an offer to Roger Clemens today of an undisclosed amount. Astros management, including the owner have said that they are willing to to break the $100 million mark on their payroll this year to acquire the Rocket.

Astros managment indicated that the deal was "obviously a raise over last year's salary." This is significant, given that his salary last year for a full year was $18 milion. Obviously, after Clemens's spectacular year last year, he will not want to take a pay cut despite the shortened season he will experience during his final year.

While no other teams have made reported offers yet, the move on the Astros part may be the first step in getting him back. While the Red Sox certainly have the financial ability to acquire Clemens, it will come down to convincing him to come back to finish his career in Boston. The ownership group under John Henry may be reluctant to spend so much cash on a player as well, given that they were complaining about the "limited" earnings they retained last year after revenue sharing. Unlike some parks, bringing Clemens would not make the earning capacity of Fenway much greater, because seats sell out regardless of who is pitching.

Rocket Meter: 27%

Doug

Picture this: May 1, 2006

Early morning, Doug Mirabelli gets a phone call saying that he has been traded back to his beloved Red Sox.

6:48 PM, Douggie arrives at ballpark in a Massachusetts State Trooper SUV in the uniform he changed into on the ride over
7:00 PM, Douggie dons catcher gera
7:05 PM, Douggie squats behind home base to catch Wakefield for the first time since October.

What a triumphant return. This means that Wakefield's value as a starter will probably go way up because of the lack of unearned runs that he will experience now that Douggie is back to handle is knuckler.

WELCOME HOME DOUGGIE.