Roger Clemens‘ gold medal fantasy is beholden to a bunch of prospects and Quadruple-A players. For the U.S. baseball team to qualify for the 2004 Athens Olympics, it must finish first or second in the Continental Qualifier of the Americas in Panama City, to be played from Nov. 1-11. Perennial power Cuba and strong baseball countries Canada, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela could be factors in the 12-team field.
The United States is conceiving a roster similar to its 2000 gold medal club, which was loaded with legitimate pitching prospects including Roy Oswalt and Ben Sheets, and veteran hitters who had bounced between the majors and minors. Right now, USA Baseball has asked teams about 100 players with the idea of narrowing the field to a 30-man club that will compete in the Arizona Fall League then be trimmed to 24 for the competition.
The Mets have been asked about four of their legitimate prospects: first baseman Craig Brazzell, and pitchers Scott Kazmir, Royce Ring and Tyler Yates.
“That is encouraging about our system because the committee that puts this together does not have a member of our organization,” Mets interim GM Jim Duquette said.
The Mets have babied the arm of Kazmir, their top pitching prospect, and Duquette said the Mets have an agreement with USA Baseball that if the lefty makes the team he will be limited to between 75-90 pitches an outing.
The Yankees were asked about two players, pitcher Scott Proctor and outfielder Bubba Crosby, both of whom they received from the Dodgers in the deal for Robin Ventura and both of whom fall into the veteran minor league category. This delineates how bad the Yankees system is, with GM Brian Cashman saying, “We recognize we are thin at the top levels.” Cashman did note that Proctor has been hitting 100 mph on the gun at Columbus.
* For whatever it’s worth, Yates, who had been making such terrific progress from Tommy John surgery, won the dunderhead award by breaking the pinky on his right pitching hand punching a water cooler in frustration. All it cost him was a September call-up. So dumb. . . .
After struggling in three starts following his trade to the Reds, Brandon Claussen was shut down for the rest of the season. The decision, co-interim GM Brad Kullman said, was strictly precautionary, following Cincinnati’s new organization-wide pitching plan to baby arms when workloads become too large or at a sign of decreased velocity. Claussen, obtained from the Yankees for Aaron Boone, had both; he began to tire following his spectacularly quick return from Tommy John surgery.
Kullman said, “Brandon felt some fatigue and we felt it was in everyone’s interest to do this. We didn’t want to rush him to the big leagues just to show we had him. We want him at the next level next year when he will have six more months of rest and strengthening on the arm.” . . .
Agent Peter Greenberg had exploratory talks with Toronto officials about Kelvim Escobar last week, but Greenberg indicated the righty will test free agency after the season. After Kevin Millwood, Bartolo Colon and Andy Pettitte, Escobar probably has worked himself into being the fourth most attractive potential free agent starter on the market.