Clemens, Astros part ways
Roger Clemens came out of retirement two years ago and helped his hometown Houston Astros reach their first World Series. Now that he's pondering his future again, they won't wait for his decision.
With Clemens uncertain whether he will pitch again or retire, the Astros declined to offer salary arbitration yesterday. The move means the seven-time Cy Young Award winner can't re-sign with the National League champions before May 1. ''We've had two great years, and they were special years," general manager Tim Purpura said. ''The fact of the matter is Roger's 43 years old . . . we're not talking about somebody in the middle of a great career. We're talking about somebody who's at the end of a great career."
Still, Purpura call it ''one of the more gut-wrenching, difficult decision" the Astros have had to make.
One team that might be interested is Texas: ''We've always loved Roger," Rangers owner Tom Hicks said. ''We look forward to seeing if he decides to continue pitching."
Clemens, who has 341 career victories, made $18 million this season, when he led the major leagues with a 1.87 ERA, and went 13-8.
Hendricks doesn't expect Clemens, who intends to pitch for the United States in March at the inaugural World Baseball Classic, to make a decision about pitching next season for at least a month.
Soriano traded to Nats
All-Star second baseman Alfonso Soriano was traded by Texas to Washington for outfielder Brad Wilkerson, outfielder Terrmel Sledge, and minor league righthander Armando Galarraga. The deal was pending physicals, according to a baseball official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the swap had not been finalized.Soriano has been one of the most productive infielders in the majors the past four years. He hit .268 with 36 homers, 104 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases last season, when he earned $7.5 million. Eligible for arbitration, he almost certainly will get a substantial raise next year, and he can become a free agent after 2006.
Florida ships off Pierre
Florida likely finished its salary purge, sending center fielder Juan Pierre to the Chicago Cubs for righthander Sergio Mitre and Double A pitchers Ricky Nolasco and Renyel Pinto. The only high-priced player remaining on the Marlins roster is 22-game winner Dontrelle Willis, who is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time but not expected to be traded.D'Backs catch Estrada
New Arizona general manager Josh Byrnes completed his first trade, filling one of the Diamondbacks' pressing needs with the acquisition of catcher Johnny Estrada from Atlanta for righthanded relievers Lance Cormier and Oscar Villarreal. The Braves later traded former closer Dan Kolb back to Milwaukee for righthander Wes Obermueller. Kolb, 30, flopped as Atlanta's closer, losing the job less than two months into last season. He was 3-8 with a 5.93 ERA in his only season with the Braves.Hoffman to stay in SD
Closer Trevor Hoffman, who had been negotiating with Cleveland and San Diego, will still be the Padres' closer, agreeing to a $13.5 million, two-year contract that includes an option for 2008. San Diego also sent third baseman Sean Burroughs, 25, to Tampa Bay for righthander Dewon Brazelton, who has an 8-23 career record with a 5.98 ERA in four big league seasons. The Padres, who earlier acquired Doug Mirabelli from the Red Sox, said catcher Ramon Hernandez was headed to Baltimore . . . Hours after the Indians failed to sign Hoffman, they retained the services of closer Bob Wickman, who agreed to a $5 million, one-year contract.NY leaves door open
Bernie Williams was offered arbitration, giving the Yankees until Jan. 8 to re-sign their longtime outfielder, who is wanted back in a reserve role. ''The purpose of this mechanism is only to buy some more time," general manager Brian Cashman. The Yankees did not offer arbitration to any of their other free agents, including righthander Kevin Brown, first baseman Tino Martinez, and Ruben Sierra . . . The Mets declined to offer arbitration to longtime catcher Mike Piazza. New York refused to offer arbitration to many of its former players who became free agents, including former closer Braden Looper . . . The Chicago White Sox declined to offer salary arbitration to Frank Thomas. The World Series champions also decided against offering arbitration to outfielder Carl Everett . . . The Los Angeles Angels declined arbitration to catcher Bengie Molina, starter Jarrod Washburn, and infielder Lou Merloni . . . Colorado offered arbitration to righthander Byung-Hyun Kim . . . Other players who were offered arbitration were Minnesota outfielder Jacque Jones and Houston catcher Brad Ausmus. Among those who were refused arbitration were righthander Joe Mays and lefthander Terry Mulholland (Minnesota), All-Star lefthander Kenny Rogers (Texas), and first baseman Scott Hatteberg and designated hitter Erubiel Duraz (Oakland) . . . Among the players to re-sign were Mariners lefthander Jamie Moyer ($5.5 million, one year).
