Clemens Seeks Record $22 Million in Salary Arbitration

[Walter Cronkite]

Roger Clemens went 18-4 with a 2.98 ERA and 218 strikeouts for the Astros during the 2004 season.

Roger Clemens filed for a record $22 million in salary arbitration on Tuesday, and the Houston Astros offered the seven-time Cy Young Award winner $13.5 million.

The Rocket, who helped lead the Astros within one win of their first World Series appearance, still has not decided whether to pitch this year or retire.

Until now, the highest figure ever submitted for arbitration was $18.5 million in 2001 by New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who then agreed to a $189 million, 10-year deal.

The highest salary ever earned by a pitcher in a single season was $17.5 million, last year by Boston's Pedro Martinez.

"We looked at what some of the comparables were - Greg Maddux, Randy Johnson - and we tried to use those star-quality players to come up with a number," Astros general manager Tim Purpura said.

Clemens, 42, left the Yankees after the 2003 season and intended to retire. But after former teammate Andy Pettitte signed with the Astros, Clemens was persuaded to sign with his hometown club.

He took an undermarket deal that guaranteed him $5 million, of which $3.5 million was deferred without interest until July 1, 2006. Clemens earned an additional $1,825,000 in bonuses based on his selection to the NL All-Star team and Houston's home attendance, which was more than 3.3 million, including the postseason.

The $8.5 million spread between his figure and the Astros' was exactly double the previous high in salary arbitration - the Yankees filed at $14.25 million with Jeter in 2001. The midpoint of $17.75 million is just above the highest listed salary for a pitcher this season - Randy Johnson's salary with the New York Yankees is calculated at $16.5 million, including a prorated share of the $1 million personal-services contract he agreed to with the Arizona Diamondbacks before he was traded.

Clemens had a remarkable season, going 18-4 with a 2.98 ERA and 218 strikeouts. As he did last winter, he says he is leaning toward retirement but has not ruled out playing.

With the loss of Carlos Beltran to the New York Mets more than a week ago, Purpura realizes that securing Clemens for another year would bolster the Astros' hopes of reaching the playoffs for the sixth time in nine seasons.

"As I've said all along we're going to wait patiently for his answer," Purpura said. "Having Roger Clemens here is very important to the team, the city and the fans. It would be great to have Roger on board."

Astros outfielder Lance Berkman, who is eligible for free agency after next season, asked for $11 million and the team offered $10 million. The sides might try to work out a multiyear deal. Pitcher Roy Oswalt asked for a raise from $3,425,000 to $7.8 million and was offered $6 million.

Hearings will be held next month for players who don't agree to settlements.

Source: AP

[Kellie-Girl]

Somehow this has got to stop. Folks, remember......it's a game and these boys are getting paid way too much money to play it. I won't argue that many of these players are great at what they do. But lets get realistic here, it's a game. Lest we forget that we pay their salaries. Look at the cost of going to a game these days. Every time you open a can of Coke or a can of Budweiser you are paying somebodies salary.

Even if you don't go to the game, you are paying for them in one way or another. Television air time has gone through the roof, and who do you think pays for it? Yes you the consumer. Television makes their money through advertising. Big corporates buy that air time.

So every time you see some commercial think about it. Whatever they are selling if you buy it, you just kicked in for some guys big salary. I am not saying that these boys don't deserve a good paycheck, but things have just plain gone wild.