Roger Clemens still hasn’t decided if he wants to come back and pitch yet this season he announced on Sunday. This is what he had to say,

“I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. I’ll make that decision when it comes. I’m in good shape, but I’m nowhere near baseball shape. Mentally, it’s going to be another challenge for me.”

The reason Clemens returned to the Astros last season was because of the many calls that he received from his teammates on the Astros.

“If somebody makes a phone call, and I think I can do it again physically, I probably could. The only reason why I’d continued to play was because of my teammates calling me.”

Well we all know that Andy Pettitte and other former teammates from the Yankees will be calling him to try and get him to come back to pitch. So this is what I propose. Besides the obligatory phone calls from John Henry, Tom Werner, and Theo Epstein, members of Red Sox Nation should start calling Clemens to show him he is wanted in Boston. After all, aren’t we members of the team if we are a part a Red Sox Nation?

Technorati: Roger Clemens, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees

Here is a look at Scouts, Inc rankings of the Major League Baseball teams, minor league systems. This is the criteria that was used in determining the rankings:

• Players who have lost their rookie eligibility don’t count for this exercise.
• Both ability and performance count when looking at individual players, and both ceiling and depth count when looking at systems.
• “time value of prospects” — the idea that a prospect’s value increases significantly as he gets closer to the big leagues. So an organization like Washington, with most of its best prospects in short-season ball in 2006, scores poorly here, because those prospects are four or five years away from the majors, and the attrition rate on those kids is going to be high.

1. Tampa Bay Devil Rays	16. Chicago White Sox
2. Colorado Rockies	17. LA Dodgers
3. Arizona Diamondbacks	18. Houston Astros
4. Kansas City Royals	19. Chicago Cubs
5. NY Yankees	20. Pittsburgh Pirates
6. Cleveland Indians	21. Oakland A’s
7. NY Mets	22. Florida Marlins
8. LA Angels	23.Washington Nationals
9. Milwaukee Brewers	24. Toronto Blue Jays
10. Minnesota Twins	25. Seattle Mariners
11. Detroit Tigers	26. Texas Rangers
12. Atlanta Braves	27. San Francisco Giants
13. Baltimore Orioles	28. St. Louis Cardinals
14. Boston Red Sox	29. Philadelphia Phillies
15. Cincinnati Reds	30. San Diego Padres

The beloved Boston Red Sox are at 14th. Before Theo Epstein took over as General Manager, the Red Sox routinely were in the bottom of the rankings. He has drafted very well in the past drafts and two guys that have very high ceilings are Jacob Ellsbury and Clay Buchholz have high ceilings and they should be in the majors no later than 2008. Ellsbury has been compared to Johnny Damon because of his leadoff and centerfield abilities. Buchholz has the make-up of an ace and could assume that role with the Red Sox in the near future. Buchholz has a mid-90s four-seam fastball, a two-seam fastball, a slider, curveball, and a circle change.There are other names that the Red Sox have as well: SP Michael Bowden, 2B Dustin Pedroia (should be the starting 2B), Bryce Cox (in the closer mix this spring training), SP Daniel Bard, SP Justin Masterson, C George Kottaras, OF Jason Place, and OF David Murphy. All these names and many more came courtesy of Theo’s drafting abilities.

Technorati: MLB, Boston Red Sox, Minor League Baseball, Major League Baseball Farm System

Here is some serious Red Sox news that comes to you from the Denver Post.

The Rockies are in discussions with the Boston Red Sox involving a trade of Todd Helton, according to multiple baseball sources.

Nothing is imminent, but negotiations are expected to resume Monday or Tuesday when Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd returns to work after tending to a family matter. Helton, 33, has a complete no-trade clause, but has said he would consider Boston. A source said Helton is aware of the current Red Sox talks.

Helton’s future became a central issue this week after owner Charlie Monfort told The Denver Post the franchise remains open to dealing the most accomplished player in the Rockies’ history.

Helton has six years and $90.1 million remaining on his contract, and the Red Sox could face luxury-tax penalties if they acquire the first baseman, issues that would have to be resolved.

The Rockies, however, have shown a willingness to eat a portion of Helton’s remaining salary in any deal, which, depending on the amount, would have an impact on the type of players they would receive in return.

Colorado’s first priority has been to add young pitchers, which Boston possesses. The Rockies have asked about reliever Manny Delcarmen, 24, in previous talks regarding other players and considered selecting pitcher Craig Hansen in the first round of the 2005 draft.

The Rockies explored trading Helton to the Los Angeles Angels at the winter meetings last month, a move motivated by Colorado’s desire to fill multiple holes and spread out Helton’s salary. Said Helton at that time, “I know they want to get rid of my contract. It’s not something I am going to get upset about. They know if something comes up they can call me.”

Personally, I think this would be a great move for the Sox. Nothing against Youk over at 1B and his OBP, Helton would bring another bat to the lineup to protect the big guns. My concerns are where does Youk play if the Sox did acquire Helton. We do need him (Youk) in the lineup. Is Lowell being traded a possibility maybe for a relief pitcher, preferably a closer? Given the age of Youk and his economically viable contract (He made $323,000 last season), and Mike Lowell’s inflated contract ($9 million in his walk year, which is 2007), this to me would be the most likely scenario.

I know the high hopes that the Red Sox have for Delcarman and Hansen but to acquire a player of Helton’s caliber would be a tremendous boost to the Sox’s hopes for another World Series Championship. Would losing Delcarman and Hansen hurt us in the short term? I don’t think it will. Will it hurt us in the long term? No one can answer that right now for sure, but given their potential, it could be viewed that it might hurt us.

I have had the pleasure of meeting and watching Todd Helton play in his minor league days here in New Haven. He is one of the nicest guys in baseball, you will ever meet. The thing about being in the minor leagues is that you do get the so called “Bonus Babies” on your team. Well if you had ever met him, you would know that he didn’t act like that at all.

Back in 1996, my friend and I had gone out to Colorado to see the Rockies play for a long weekend. The tickets were on the Rockies and all we had to do was make the other arrangements. I didn’t know that the Rockies were honoring their minor league players of the year for each affiliate. Todd Helton, who got promoted to AAA in August that year, was sitting with us and goes “Ian what are you doing here?” So I told him that the Rockies had gotten me some tickets and we had come out for the weekend. So that kinda caught me off guard but it was nice that he remembered. I have gone to other Rockies games in Florida and New York and I am always sure to go down and say hi to him and everyone else that I know on the team or in the front office. Of course now that number has dwindled down to a few.

UPDATE: Helton has stated he would waive his no-trade clause to come to the Red Sox. Also the Rockies have stated they would pay half of the $90 million remaining on his contract. The deal is rumored to be Julian Tavarez, Mike Lowell, and prospects for Helton. The Rockies want Hansen and Declarmen but the Red Sox are not willing to trade either of them. Stay tuned for more about this as it becomes known.

Technorati Tags: Todd Helton, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox

Well folks, it is almost that time of the year for the baseball players to dust off their gloves, or in most of their cases, take the new glove out of the plastic and break it in. It is also that time to start looking ahead to the 2007 Major League Baseball Season. I came across something interesting in the Sporting News magazine that I get weekly. It is a look at the bullpens of the American League and the National League. The part about that I thought was cool was that they listed the guys in each bullpen with how many flame throwers (95+ MPH) they have. For example, the five guys they have listed from the Chicago White Sox are all flame throwers.

Note: The rankings may be different now for the National League as Mike Gonzalez of the Pittsburgh Pirates was traded to the Atlanta Braves.

Technorati: American League, MLB, National League

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Is Roger Clemens coming back to the New York Yankees? Well, Robinson Cano sure hopes so. He has given up his number 22, which is Roger’s number, and switched to number 24. He chose 24 because it is Jackie Robinson’s number 42 reversed. Jackie Robinson’s number was retired by MLB back in 1997. Mariano Rivera is the only player to be still wearing it.

Cano is hoping that having #22 available would help lure Clemens back to New York however Clemens agent, Randy Hendricks, had this to say:

“No decision will be made until well after spring training, perhaps until after the season starts.”

Technorati: Roger Clemens, Robinson Cano, Jackie Robinson, MLB, Randy Hendricks

According to Peter Gammons, Trot Nixon will be signing a 1 year $3 million dollar contract with the Cleveland Indians. To me, this makes it more apparent that the Red Sox and J.D. Drew will more than likely get their deal done after all.

Nixon had spent his entire playing career in Boston. His latter years were marred with injuries but he was still an integral cog in the Red Sox machine. His defense in right field will sorely be missed. Nixon joins former Red Sox closer, Keith Foulke, as the latest former Sox players to sign in Cleveland.

Technorati: Trot Nixon, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, J.D. Drew, Keith Foulke

Well here’s the latest scoop on the Barry Bonds saga. On Thursday, Barry decided to make a public apology to Mark Sweeney. Within that, he also made an apology to his teammates, the Giants organization and his family. This is what Mr Amphetamines had to say:

“He is both my teammate and my friend. He did not give me anything whatsoever and has nothing to do with this matter, contrary to recent reports. I want to express my deepest apologies especially to Mark and his family as well as my other teammates, the San Francisco Giants organization and the fans.”

Bonds did not publicly deny the fact that he failed the drug test nor did he confirm it. By the rules of the labor agreement between MLBPA and MLB, his test results do not have to be made public.

Barry is currently only 22 home runs away from breaking the all-time record of 755 home runs by Hank Aaron. Of course what we don’t know is, how many of his home runs were when he was “taking steroids”. I know that there is no public knowledge of him ever taking them, but if you look at his size when he was with the Pittsburgh Pirates to now with the San Francisco Giants, are you going to tell me that it was all from lifting weights and exercising? Even the guy’s head got bigger.

If this positive test result is true, this will put a big knot in his contract negotiations with the Giants, who are still working on the contract language of Barry’s 1 year $16 million dollar contract. They are trying to put in a provision that basically covers their asses if Bonds is indicted on perjury charges, has other legal issues, or just doesn’t follow team rules.

Barry, the time is now for you to come clean about everything. You are also a father. Do you want your kids to grow up with a father who is a liar, a cheat (not proven in a court of law)? This decision rests in that big head of yours.

Technorati: Barry Bonds, San Francisco Giants, Mark Sweeney, MLB, MLBPA, Hank Aaron

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they will be taking their right field pavilion and making it an all-you-can-eat section. For just the low price of $35 dollars in advance and $40 dollars on game day, you can try to see if you can eat as many hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and nachos as you want. You can even wash them down with a soft drink. Beer, ice cream, and candy are not part of this package.

So if you want, maybe you can go down to Dodger stadium next season and try to do your best Kobayashi impression and eat as many hot dogs as you can. After all, it will only cost you $35 dollars.

Technorati: Los Angeles Dodgers, Kobayashi

According to the New York Daily News, Barry Bonds tested positive for amphetamines during a drug test in the 2006 season and then had the balls to say he got it from a teammate. Barry had stated that he received the substance in question from Mark Sweeney, one of his teammates with the San Francisco Giants last season.

Mark Sweeney’s agent, Barry Axelrod, had this to say about his client’s involvement:

“Mark was made aware of the fact that his name had been brought up. But he did not give Barry Bonds anything, and there was nothing he could have given Barry Bonds.”

Gene Orza, COO of the Major League Baseball Players Association made Sweeney aware that Bonds had failed the drug test and then told Sweeney, he need to remove any illegal substances from his locker and not to give them to any of his teammates. Sweeney told Orza he had nothing illegal in his locker.

Major League Baseball instituted a new drug policy in the wake of the Congressional Hearings on steroid use in baseball last season. The first failed test for amphetamines meant the player would have to be tested six times during the season. Also, there names wouldn’t be made public unlike when a player failed a steroid test. If a player tests positive for amphetamines a second time, they would be subject to a 25 game suspension.

Well well Mr Bonds. The truth comes out. Here you are in the past saying that you had never tested positive for any illegal drug use and now this. It takes balls to blame your problems on a teammate. I am pretty sure that won’t alienate you from your teammates next season. NOT! I think this might be very bad for you as well. Seeing how the language in your new $16 million dollar contract for next season isn’t finished. Why the hangup? Oh, that’s right, people think you have lied in the past so the Giants are just trying to cover their asses in case you get indicted for lying to the Grand Jury or have any other legal issues.

It’s bad enough that all the Mark McGwire talk took away from Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. And just two days after this, Barry Bonds and his amphetamine usage and subsequent failing of a drug test has to take from it too. The only obvious thing that comes from this is that he didn’t test positive for a second time. Or did he? Did the Major League Baseball gestapo cover it up? Obviously they might have since we are just know finding out about him failing a drug test. Yes, by the rules of the new labor agreement, his name didn’t have to be published. But yet somehow the story was made public.

Here’s to you Barry Bonds, I hope you enjoy prison

Technorati: Barry Bonds, MLB, San Francisco Giants, Mark Sweeney, Gene Orza, Barry Axelrod, Mark McGwire, Steroids

The 2007 class for the Baseball Hall of Fame was announced today with Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn being elected. Cal Ripken received 98.5% (537 votes) of the vote and Tony Gwynn received 97.6% (532 votes) of the National Baseball Writer’s vote. 409 votes were needed for election. Rich “Goose” Gossage fell just 21 votes (388, 71.2%) short. Two others, Jim Rice, 346 (63.5%), and Andre Dawson, 309 (56.7%) garnered over 50% of the vote.

Ripken’s total was the highest in the Hall of Fame voting history for position players. Both Gwynn and Ripken were elected in their first year on the ballot. Of the 15 first timers on the ballot besides Gwynn and Ripken, only two others received enough votes to stay on the ballot. To stay eligible for up to 15 years, the players had to receive 5% (28 votes). Those two players who retain their eligibility are Mark McGwire, 128 votes (23.5%), and Harold Baines, 29 votes (5.3%).

Steve Garvey, who was in his 15th and final year of eligibility, received 21.1% of the vote and will no longer be voted for. Those first timers who didn’t receive enough votes to stay on the ballot (5%) are Orel Hershiser, Albert Belle, Paul O’Neill, Bret Saberhagen, Jose Canseco, Tony Fernandez, Dante Bichette, Eric Davis, Bobby Bonilla, Ken Caminiti, Jay Buhner, Scott Brosius, Devon White, and Bobby Witt.

The following players will be heldover on the ballot for next year’s voting: Bert Blyleven (47.7%), Lee Smith (39.8%), Jack Morris (37.1%), Tommy John (22.9%), Dave Concepcion (13.6%), Alan Trammell (13.4%), Dave Parker (11.4%), Don Mattingly (9.9%) and Dale Murphy (9.2%).

To me it’s a shame that Jim Rice isn’t in the Hall of Fame. Maybe they should start letting bloggers have a vote. My congratulations go out to Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn. They will be inducted on July 30th, 2007.

Technorati: National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cal Ripken, Tony Gwynn, Mark McGwire