05/07: Clemens Breakdown
Posted by: Patrick
From the press conference, which you can watch on MLB.com:
The Yankees did quite a job keeping this one under wraps. Cashman and Torre have known since Friday, or around Friday, apparently, but had told few. Cashman himself said that he was surprised that they were able to pull it off. Clemens kept it from Pettitte, Torre kept it from his wife (until Saturday night).
Peter Abraham reports that Clemens will have the same traveling privileges he had last year:
I don't feel great about this, but if the senior players approved it, I don't see it being a problem and that's the end of it. The deal will cost us about $18.5 million and that after the stadium was clear yesterday, he went out and worked out in the bullpen.
Michael Geffner has a list of various noteworthy details relating to the deal and event as does Peter Abraham and Mike. From Geffner:
Everyone's happy to have him back:
Finally, check out the interview with Suzyn Waldman and John Sterling right after he announced it (via Steve).
They asked me about the decision. I said it's not real difficult because I'm playing for a manager that I love to play for. ... Joe is a very special man, let alone manager. To have the opportunity to come back and play with one of the clutch hitters that I've ever known in Derek Jeter and have an opportunity to hand the ball to the best reliever in baseball - I think I can continue on with the list
The Yankees did quite a job keeping this one under wraps. Cashman and Torre have known since Friday, or around Friday, apparently, but had told few. Cashman himself said that he was surprised that they were able to pull it off. Clemens kept it from Pettitte, Torre kept it from his wife (until Saturday night).
Peter Abraham reports that Clemens will have the same traveling privileges he had last year:
The Yankees also granted Clemens the right to set his own schedule, a perk he enjoyed in Houston. Clemens will be allowed to skip road trips when he is not scheduled to pitch.
Torre said the senior players on the roster approved of that privilege. With Randy Johnson no longer a Yankee, there was nobody who would object.
Torre said the senior players on the roster approved of that privilege. With Randy Johnson no longer a Yankee, there was nobody who would object.
I don't feel great about this, but if the senior players approved it, I don't see it being a problem and that's the end of it. The deal will cost us about $18.5 million and that after the stadium was clear yesterday, he went out and worked out in the bullpen.
Michael Geffner has a list of various noteworthy details relating to the deal and event as does Peter Abraham and Mike. From Geffner:
In the midst of negotiating with Randy Hendricks, Cashman freaked out when Hendricks returned one message saying he was in Fenway Park at the moment.
Everyone's happy to have him back:
"Everyone's excited," said Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. "Rocket's stuff is still good. For the last few years, he's been just as good as ever. He's one of those rare players who gets better with age. But you know, Rocket works hard. He goes out there. He knows how to pitch." ...
"He's going to help us out," Damon said. "Hopefully, he can get here soon and we can move on his career in wins and strikeouts and everything. The guy is a dominant pitcher, and it's going to be great for our ballclub."
"It's exciting when you get a notice like that," said right fielder Bobby Abreu. "[He's] one of the best pitchers in the game, and you have him on your team. You get excited. It makes you feel happy."
"He's going to help us out," Damon said. "Hopefully, he can get here soon and we can move on his career in wins and strikeouts and everything. The guy is a dominant pitcher, and it's going to be great for our ballclub."
"It's exciting when you get a notice like that," said right fielder Bobby Abreu. "[He's] one of the best pitchers in the game, and you have him on your team. You get excited. It makes you feel happy."
Finally, check out the interview with Suzyn Waldman and John Sterling right after he announced it (via Steve).
John M. wrote:
He is over paid and he is knowingly holding this club back. That money should have been spent on our farm system!! We are now years and years away from another championship. The boss has to realize that we cant buy our way to the world series. Those good teams are formed on chemistry not greedy fat 45 yr old pitchers. I am sorry to be a fan of this team. Now I truly do think the Red Sox are better.