Astros cut ties with Clemens

By MARC TOPKIN
Published December 8, 2005

DALLAS - Alfonso Soriano, Lyle Overbay, Juan Pierre, Mark Loretta, Mark Redman and Johnny Estrada were among the players traded during a busy Wednesday at the winter meetings.

But the biggest news was about a player who may end up going nowhere, as the Astros decided they can't wait for Roger Clemens to decide whether he wants to pitch and declined to offer him arbitration.

That could mean only that Clemens wouldn't join the Astros until May 1. But it also could mean a new chapter in, or the end of, of his stellar career. What was clear was that the Astros, in what general manager Tim Purpura called a "gut-wrenching" decision, didn't want to commit the time and money to wait for the 43-year-old to decide in January if he planned to return or retire.

"Health is not an issue. It's the willingness of Roger to play, and we just don't know that," Purpura said. "To tie up resources for that long of a period of time would really hurt our ability to move forward."

Clemens went 13-8 with a major league-best 1.87 ERA last season while making $18-million. Though he liked pitching at home in Houston, he is now a free agent and could be tempted to consider a return to the Red Sox or Yankees, or elsewhere.

"If anybody calls, we'll listen," agent Randy Hendricks said.

Under baseball rules, Clemens could re-sign with the Astros after May 1, which might be a way for him to limit the wear and tear on his body and be strong for the postseason. But Purpura said such a scenario has not been discussed and "nobody should pin their hopes" on that happening.

DAY OF DEALS: The Marlins continued their deconstruction by trading Pierre to the Cubs for three young pitchers, Sergio Mitre, Ricky Nolasco and Renyel Pinto.

Pierre, who fills the Cubs need for a leadoff hitter, said it has been tough to watch the Marlins tear up their team by dealing Josh Beckett, Carlos Delgado, Paul Lo Duca, Luis Castillo, Mike Lowell and Guillermo Mota.

Soriano, one of the game's top offensive second baseman, was traded from Texas to Washington for outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge and a minor-league pitcher, right-hander Armando Galarraga.

The Blue Jays continued their impressive overhaul by acquiring Overbay from Milwaukee.

The Padres re-signed closer Trevor Hoffman to a two-year, $13.5-million deal with a 2008 team option in a deal GM Kevin Towers called "probably the most significant signing that I've had here." Hoffman was considering going to Cleveland.

The Braves tried to improve their bullpen, acquiring right-handers Lance Cormier and Oscar Villarreal from Arizona for Estrada and shipping ineffective Dan Kolb back to Milwaukee for Wes Obermueller.

The Red Sox filled their second base hole by getting Loretta from San Diego for catcher Doug Mirabelli. The Padres needed a catcher to compete with Miguel Olivo as free agent Ramon Hernandez is apparently headed to Baltimore.

Among other deals, free agents Jamie Moyer re-signed with the Mariners ($5.5-million for one year), Bob Wickman went back to the Indians ($5-million for one year), John Mabry signed with the Cubs, the Royals acquired Redman from Pittsburgh for pitcher Jonah Bayliss and a player to be named and the White Sox officially cut ties with DH Frank Thomas by declining to offer him arbitration.

MORE RAYS: The Rays had the third pick in today's Rule 5 draft of players not on 40-man rosters, but they may have an agreement in place to essentially swap selections with the Padres, who pick 17th. ... Benny Latino, of the Rays' most productive area scouts, has left to join the Mets' staff. ... Former Rays bench coach John McLaren is expected to be named third-base coach and camp coordinator for the U.S. team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. ... Top prospect Delmon Young is expected to arrive today to receive his award as Baseball America's minor-league player of the year.

[Last modified December 8, 2005, 00:51:07]