It was a week for big news for baseball from Chris Carpenter and Phil Hughes? injuries to the debuts of other high-profile prospects, but it was also pushed to the second page when Roger Clemens made his announcement to pitch for the New York Yankees during their game Sunday against the Seattle Mariners. Read on to see Clemens? impact on the Yankees in 2007 and much more around baseball this past week. Clemens headed to the Bronx Right-hander Roger Clemens is considered the best pitcher of this generation and his durability to pitch late into his career will only cement his legacy as one of the greatest pitchers of all time. He will look to continue his Hall of Fame career in 2007 with the New York Yankees, who he announced he will play for. It is expected he will start pitching at the major league level in the first week of June after agreeing to a one-year contract prorated to $28,000,022. So, what can be expected from Clemens this time around? Well, the Yankees are going to be without starter Carl Pavano for most of the season as it looks right now, so a fully healthy rotation would include Mike Mussina, Chien-Ming Wang, Clemens, Andy Pettitte and Phillip Hughes. Clemens would fit nicely in the number three spot behind Wang and Pettitte and round out a rotation that has been thin at best this season. He won?t be overpowering, but he knows how to pitch and his intimidation factor is still one of the best in the game. However, he put a lot of pressure on by the way he made the announcement and his comments after the game when he said championships are expected. He will be good in his limited duty, but Clemens alone won?t bring the Yankees a title in 2007. Lee back to 2005 form 2005 was Derek Lee?s year. The Chicago Cubs first baseman made a legitimate run at the Triple Crown, but faltered down the stretch and eventually fell out of MVP race. 2006 started well with a large contract extension for Lee to stay with the Cubs and his manager Dusty Baker, a fellow Sacramento native. However, a terrible wrist injury shortened his season and ended in Baker losing his job. 2007 looks to be more like 2005 early on with an NL-best .414 average with two home runs and 21 RBI. Lee is the key cog for the Cubs this season as he is the face of this franchise after Sammy Sosa. His bat has to stay hot for the Cubs to compete for the National League Central. Ricciardi creates mess in Toronto Toronto Blue Jays J.P. Ricciardi came to Toronto as Billy Beane?s sidekick and has just started to create his own identity in Toronto. Now comes to news he lied about closer B.J. Ryan?s spring training injury. He said it was a back issue when it really was his elbow. Nobody in baseball needs to answer every question the media gives or even honor all requests for interviews, but everybody has to be honest when they do talk. Dishonesty can lead to a poor trade, false reporting and a disconnect between the front office, players and the fans. Ricciardi shouldn?t be blacklisted from baseball, but he should learn some people skills about telling the truth and realize teams might not be willing to trade with him this trading deadline and those in the future. Dodger Blue is talent rich The Los Angeles Dodgers are in first place in the National League West and their roster looks the part. They have pitching stud Chad Billingsley in the bullpen and third baseman Wilson Betemit headed to the bench. They also have first baseman James Loney and outfielder Matt Kemp in the minors because they don?t have room. Their rotation is deep and talented. Their rotation has speed and power with a mix of youth and veterans. The bullpen is diverse with a good arm at closer in Takashi Shito. General Manger Ned Colletti has done an outstanding job in two years of rebuilding this roster and through the first five weeks of the season, they look like a division winner and a National League champion contender. Alcohol should be banned I was appalled to learn that alcohol is actually available in clubhouses around the majors. In the wake of Josh Hancock?s death, it should be a warning to everybody that excessive drinking is a problem in baseball. Commissioner Bud Selig should take this opportunity to take alcohol out of clubhouses and help raise awareness of alcohol in baseball. It is a problem and it has to be dealt with now before more problems happen. Douglas Benton can be reached at [email protected]