Rocket files for free agency

[tlongII]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5072954

Interesting. Does this mean he will go to yet another team?

[Extra Stout]

I doubt it.

I think it means he wants the Astros to give him a raise, or he'll retire.

[Spurminator]

I'd rather see them go ahead and let him go, then pony up for Rafael Furcal. It's hard to think of any other available player that would fill more needs for the Astros than Furcal.

[2pac]

I'd rather see them go ahead and let him go, then pony up for Rafael Furcal. It's hard to think of any other available player that would fill more needs for the Astros than Furcal.

Everett is a better defensive shortstop and Willy T is a great young leadoff man.

[Spurminator]

Everett is a better defensive shortstop

He might be, but it isn't by much... And he's nothing short of a liability at the plate (36th among ML shortstops in OBP, 30th in slugging). I just think he's a borderline ML starter at best. We can use him as a defensive replacement/pinch hitter.

Willy exceeded expectations last year but his OBP (.325) is pretty low for a leadoff guy. In the second spot, however, his biggest strength (bunting) would be better utilized and his biggest weakness (drawing walks) would be less of a problem.

[Extra Stout]

I'd rather see them go ahead and let him go, then pony up for Rafael Furcal. It's hard to think of any other available player that would fill more needs for the Astros than Furcal.
I think you give up a lot if you exchange a guy who gives you 200+ innings with a sub-2.00 ERA for a good-but-not-great position player.

[Kip Fanatic]

The Astros need to spend a little more this year. Its obvious to everyone that they need to hit the ball better (or period for that matter). Furcal would be a great pickup. KANERDCO from Chi-Town will be a good one as well. We all know that Bags is done. I hate to say it, but its true.

[Spurminator]

I can't see him putting up numbers like that again. I could be wrong. Either way, it wouldn't be a man-for-man exchange, because Furcal would probably require less than half of that $18 million. The rest could be used to lure AJ Burnett or another quality starter.

$18 million is just a lot of money to tie up when you have so many weak points in your offense.

[mcornelio]

hes coming to boston

[samikeyp]

Rocket is done.

[N.Y. Johnny]

Like Sands Through An Hour Glass, So Goes........................

[Horry For 3!]

Clemens won't play for another team, he'll play for the Astros or retire. That was the whole reason for playing for the Astros. To be back home in Houston and playing for his hometown team. It would be fucking idiotic if he went somewhere else.

[Phenomanul]

What the Astros needed was not letting go of Beltran.... It was their futile offense that killed them in the WS.

[Spurminator]

Beltran sucked this year and would have been too much of an investment. He will never be worth what he is being paid by the Mets.

[AlamoSpursFan]

If Clemens signs somewhere else does that mean no more of those clever HEB commercials with David Carr and Andy Pettite?

[yeahone]

let g oclemens