Roger: Over and out
Unhappy Clemens demands trade from Blue Jays
Posted: Thursday December 03, 1998 12:08 PM
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Roger Clemens led the AL in ERA and strikeouts and tied for the lead in wins last season Rick Stewart/Allsport |
NEW YORK (AP) -- Available: The only five-time Cy Young Award winner.
Price: Negotiable.
Roger
Clemens, angered the Toronto Blue Jays
won't spend enough money to field a contender next season, told the team
Wednesday he wants to be traded, and the club said it will comply.
"This is certainly not done with any acrimony or with any anger on either
side," Blue Jays general manager Gord Ash said, adding the team will make
every effort to complete a deal within 10 days.
When Clemens signed with the Blue Jays in December 1996, team president
Paul Beeston said if Clemens didn't think Toronto would contend and asked
for a trade, the Blue Jays would deal him. Beeston left the Blue Jays
during the 1997 season to become baseball's chief operating officer, but
Ash said he will honor Beeston's commitment.
"It's a two-prong situation," Ash said. "There's a desire to be closer to
home or with a club that has a better chance to provide him with a World
Series ring."
The World Series champion New York Yankees, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers are
considered the top -- and perhaps only -- contenders to land the
36-year-old right-hander.
"Who wouldn't have an interest in Clemens?" Yankees general manager Brian
Cashman said. "I'm sure Toronto will have many discussions with us before
this is over with."
Ash visited Clemens at his home in Katy, Texas, outside Houston last week
along with the Blue Jays' two assistant general managers, Dave Stewart and
Tim McCleary.
"There was a lot of listening," Ash said.
The team's owner, the Belgian company Interbrew SA, does not want to
spend as much money on players as the Yankees, Baltimore or Boston. Clemens
became discouraged when the Blue Jays did not make a competitive offer to
retain Jose
Canseco, who hit 46 homers and drove in 107 runs this year.
Toronto was 88-74 last season, finishing four games behind Boston in the
wild-card race.
"We recognize they would have a decent team," said agent, Randy
Hendricks, who represents Clemens and who telephoned Ash on Wednesday to
make the demand.
"The reality is, they're not prepared to add players and contend at the
highest level," Hendricks said.
The Blue Jays' biggest needs include a power-hitting outfielder, a third
baseman and, like most clubs, a top starting pitcher.
"There's a tendency to look at the bottom line, that you have only $40
million or $43 million and say you have no chance," Ash said, referring to
his payroll range. "I think you have to look a little deeper. You don't
need to be at $60 million to compete."
Clemens, who won his first three Cy Youngs with Boston in 1986, 1987 and
1991, went 20-6 with a 2.65 ERA, striking out 271 in 234 2-3 innings last
season. He went unbeaten in his final 22 starts, winning 15 decisions after
starting 5-6.
He led the AL in ERA and strikeouts and tied for the lead in wins after
finishing first in all three categories in 1997.
Ash said the Blue Jays wanted to work out a deal quickly.
"I think it's important not to let this drag out," he said.
Ash also said Toronto was looking to acquire players to help now, not
prospects. But he isn't limiting the positions he wants help at.
"I don't think we're really going to be interested in future returns.
We're looking more for present value," he said. "I want clubs to come
forward and tell us what they're prepared to do. I don't want to put any
parameters on it."
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