Is Roger Getting Ready to
Return to Boston?

Boston Dirt Dogs has learned that the Red Sox may now be the frontrunner in the Roger Clemens sweepstakes. Clemens reportedly said Wednesday he'd like to put No. 21 on his back and finish his career where he started. The Yankees are supposedly his second choice even though owner George Steinbrenner hasn't yet made Roger an offer; however, Roger expects him to at some point. The Astros may have moved up to Roger's third choice while the Texas Rangers, who made a great presentation, are not generating any real excitement in the Clemens camp.

According to MLB.com, Clemens said Wednesday that physically, his body feels pretty good, and that his arm is "not too far away" after working out with son Koby, an Astros prospect playing at Class A Lexington, for five days recently. Clemens also said he is enjoying retirement and isn't ready to think about pitching again at this point. "I understand the Red Sox side of it, the history with New York and I understand what's happened here [in Houston] the last few years," Clemens said on Wednesday. "Again, that's just not something I'm thinking about just yet. I'm going to pass on those questions right at this point. I've not decided to go there there just yet. I'm getting updates and calls from the other three teams. They're very flattering. If I decide to go in that direction, I'll get myself mentally prepared for that."

In his ESPN Insider blog, Peter Gammons writes today "There is a growing feeling in Houston that even though the Astros have three rookies in their rotation that owner Drayton McLane would rather not spend the coin for Roger Clemens, and would rather have him sign with the Yankees or Red Sox and paint him as a mercenary. The Yankees-Red Sox bidding war is a Hendricks Brothers' dream. Then it will come down to Clemens' reverence for Joe Torre versus seeing his No. 21 retired in Fenway as he passes Cy Young."