Houston, they have a Rocket

Roger Clemens signed a 1 year, $5 million deal with the Astros for 2004. That means that this career AL pitcher, who threw inside knowing he had no chance of getting the same served back to him, will now have to hit off Mark Prior et al. Good. LEt's see if he has the cohones to stand in. Fearless prediction - Clemens charges the mound at least once this year.

It also has the added benefit of setting a price for Maddux. The Cubs should offer about $11 million over 2 years with $4 million paid in 2004. And Maddux must travel with the team and be at the park on off days. I'd like Maddux to be Wood's defacto pitching coach. That can't happen if he's golfing in Vegas while the Cubs are playing in Pittsburgh.