Boston brass is optimistic on Clemens

Some Red Sox personnel are optimistic that Roger Clemens will re-sign with the club soon.

One Red Sox official said yesterday, ``They're working hard on it, and I think they're turning the corner.''

There was some talk that the deal for the free agent pitcher would be completed yesterday, but nothing developed.

``I know that John [Harrington] and Dan [Duquette] have been working hard on it the past couple of days,'' said club spokesman Kevin Shea. ``They want to get this done and keep Roger.''

There are conflicting reports on the Cleveland Indians' level of interest. While some speculate that the Indians are in hot pursuit of Clemens, others have them distancing themselves from the chase. Though the Indians were willing to give Clemens a four-year, $20 million contract originally, one club official said yesterday, ``It's gone way beyond that and we're not interested.''

One team that may have entered the bidding for Clemens is the Chicago White Sox, who rescinded a five-year, $30 million offer to Alex Fernandez. When asked whether the White Sox were in the hunt for Clemens, general manager Ron Schueler responded, ``No comment.''

Meanwhile, the Red Sox will meet tomorrow with Tim Naehring's agents, Gregg Clifton and Jack Toffey, to discuss a contract. The agents will meet with the Orioles Monday and Yankees Tuesday in behalf of the Boston infielder, who becomes a free agent when he is granted service time for the 1994 strike.

Padre deal off

The San Diego Padres, frustrated in their attempts to make a deal for John Valentin, traded righthander Scott Sanders to the Seattle Mariners for lefty Sterling Hitchcock.

The Padres were trying to get the Red Sox to take left fielder Rickey Henderson, Sanders and infielder Chris Gomez for Valentin and a pitcher.

The Red Sox had no use for Henderson, but the Padres couldn't afford to obtain Valentin, give him a multiyear deal (he'll likely make $3.5 million-$4 million in arbitration) and keep Henderson.

New post for Schaefer

Bob Schaefer, 52, who has been the Sox' director of field operations, has been promoted to director of player development ... The Sox are pursuing free agent lefties Jimmy Key and Steve Avery, and on Monday, they'll sign lefthander B.J. Wallace, a former New York Mets No. 1 pick, to a free agent contract ... Former Red Sox manager Kevin Kennedy may be back in baseball as a scout. The Orioles and White Sox are interested... The Red Sox' WinterFest continues at the Hynes Auditorium today as part of the winter meetings, with manager Jimy Williams and his coaching staff, as well as players Reggie Jefferson and Darren Bragg, signing autographs sometime between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. ... While tickets normally would be going on sale at this time, Shea said that because the schedule has just been approved for next season, the Red Sox' ticket and marketing departments are still sorting out details... According to the Associated Press, the contract for pitcher Robinson Checo is worth $2 million over two years: a $1.15 million signing bonus, $350,000 in 1997 and $500,000 in 1998.

This story ran on page g7 of the Boston Globe on 12/07/96.