Say it once. Say it twice. "It's only a formality ... It's only a formality."
That's what Roger Clemens' filing for free agency yesterday was. But the reality is that the man tied with Cy Young as the winningest pitcher in Red Sox history could be pitching elsewhere in 1997.
This is the first time in his 13-year career that the big righthander has filed for free agency.
Clemens has said he wants a four-year contract, and he may yet receive one from the Red Sox, with most of the money guaranteed. He is still viewed as a No. 1 starter, and most consider John Smoltz, Alex Fernandez and Clemens as the only free agents in that category. And Fernandez may not get his free agency if owners, as expected, vote down the latest basic agreement offer in Chicago today.
That would leave Clemens in an even stronger position.
``We're going to consider all options,'' said Clemens' agent, Randy Hendricks, last night. ``Of course, we're going to consider Boston, who we've been talking to all along. But I would guess we wouldn't do much of anything until around Thanksgiving.''
The Texas Rangers are very interested in Clemens, and while they may not be initially inclined to pay him for four years, pressure may mount to bring him there as the next Nolan Ryan.
Yankees owner George Steinbrenner also is said to covet Clemens, and New York may lose Jimmy Key to free agency. Steinbrenner's manager, Joe Torre, is also a big Clemens fan. After Clemens' final start at Fenway Park this season, Torre stood and applauded, later saying, ``Roger Clemens is a throwback to a different day in baseball where he goes out there time in and time out like a true professional and challenges you to hit his best pitch. He's a pleasure to watch.''
The Cleveland Indians are likely to make a four-year offer to Clemens. Cleveland has been one of Clemens' favorite cities in the past because he has relatives in the Dayton, Ohio, area.
The Florida Marlins were hoping Fernandez would be available, and if he isn't, Clemens could be in their plans.
Last season Clemens was 10-13 with a 3.63 ERA but led the American League with 257 strikeouts. Bullpen failings and poor run support hurt his won-lost record, and he also matched his record 20-strikeout performance against Detroit late in the season.
Clemens has not reacted publicly to the firing of Kevin Kennedy as Red Sox manager, but he is said to be very upset about it. He recently left Kennedy a five-minute voice message in which he expressed his sympathy and said he didn't understand what Red Sox management was doing.
The Sox sold the contracts of infielder/outfielder Phil Clark and righthanded pitcher Bob Milacki to the Kintetsu Buffaloes of the Japanese Pacific League. Clark played 97 games with Pawtucket and three games with Boston. Milacki made 23 starts for the Triple A Tacoma Rainiers and seven appearances with the Mariners. Boston claimed Milacki on waivers Oct. 8. Clark and Milacki will be the first Americans to play in the new Osaka Dome.
This story ran on page c1 of the Boston Globe on 11/06/96.