Houston Astros Wiretap

Astros Forming List Of Managerial Candidates

The Astros are still in the early stages of finding a permanent manager, but they have begun forming a list of candidates.

Houston's decision makers are trying to gain information about the men on the list.

Tony DeFrancesco has been managing the Astros since Brad Mills was fired on Aug. 18.

"We're continuing to assess our list of candidates," Jeff Luhnow said. "I mentioned before that it's a relatively long list and what we're trying to do right now is do as much as we can prior to engaging in any conversations to trim that list down a little bit, and there are a lot of conversations going on between George and Jim and myself and us reaching out to people in the industry we know and trust. That's the process we're going through right now."

Via Brian McTaggart/MLB.com

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Astros Send Steve Pearce To Yankees For Cash

The Yankees have acquired Steve Pearce from the Astros for cash considerations.

Pearce will give New York a right-handed bat for the month of September when rosters expand. He played in the team's system earlier this season.

The Yankees claimed Pearce, 29, on waivers.

Via MLB Trade Rumors

New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Royals Deny Interest In Roger Clemens

After a report suggested that the Royals had a scout present when Roger Clemens took the mound for the Sugar Land Skeeters on Saturday, general manager Dayton Moore denied any interest in the 50-year-old right-hander.

Kansas City senior pitching advisor Bill Fischer was on hand at Saturday night's game, but he was merely there as an old coach and friend of Clemens.

Moore pointed out that Fischer was Clemens' pitching coach early in his Major League career and that the pitcher invited him to come down and be part of his return.

"Fish called me last night to say thanks for allowing him to go down there and what a great time it was," Moore said. "I don't even know how Roger threw, I didn't even ask him about that."

Via MLB.com

Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Clemens Not Thinking About Return After Scoreless Outing

Roger Clemens pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Independent League on Saturday, his first appearance in five years.

"No," Clemens said when the subject of a Major League comeback was brought up. "I've had success before at that level and other things. Again, it's a great deal of work and I'm not thinking that at this point."

The 50-year-old faced the Bridgeport Bluefish and struck out two, while allowing one hit without a walk on 37 pitches.

Scouts from the Astros and Royals were on hand.

Via ESPN.com

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Clemens Insists He's Not 'Major League Ready'

Roger Clemens says his weekend start for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Independent League isn't part of a comeback to the Major Leagues.

"I don't know how much clearer I can say it," Clemens said. "I'm nowhere near major league ready, nor have I been training or pitching in that type of mode."

Astros owner Jim Crane has said that the team is open to the idea of adding the seven-time Cy Young Award winner and is sending a scout to the game.

Clemens has a personal services contract with the Astros.

Via Associated Press

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