Say what you want about Roger Clemens. But he is going down swinging.

The problem is Clemens has struck out on three straight and its the 7th inning. He might get to bat again, but he better slow down that swing some if he gets the chance. Clemens just glared into a camera and told anyone willing to listen that he did not take steroids. NEVER he basically yelled out at us through the tube. One lesson he should have learned is that you can't intimidate the world like you did baseball. Staring at the camera and screaming at the media who were giving you a chance to tell your side is not going to work.

He was given one of the rarest of opportunities this week. He was given a forum to garner some sympathy and perhaps a little of that benefit of the doubt to which he believes he is entitled and yet over and over he comes off looking like a complete ass. 

First he spouts off that America sucks basically whining "Guilty before innocent. That's the way our country works now." he said on 60 minutes. Then he has the outright audacity to say that the penalty for steroids should be the self inflicted ones, that society and baseball have no right to question him or punish anyone for steroids.

Confronted with strong allegations of cheating, breaking the law and compromising the integrity of the game he professes to love, Clemens acts as if he doesn't have to answer for anything "it's a self-inflicted penalty" come on Roger you must be kidding, but no we can tell by the way you act, its like my 9 year old throwing a tantrum claiming he didn't do it. He might not have, but his posturing is making him look more guilty, not less.

"Keep your Hall of Fame votes" Roger is telling us now.

We just might.

Around the League:

Houston Astros
Houston signed pitcher Oscar Villarreal to a two-year, $2.85 million contract this week. The right-hander, who was acquired from Atlanta for outfielder Josh Anderson in November, went 2-2 with a 4.24 ERA for the Braves in 2007. While he has started in the past, look for the 26-year-old to work as a middle reliever for the Astros.

Toronto Blue Jays
After a breakout season in Toronto in 2006 when he hit .319 with 12 homers and 49 RBI, Reed Johnson was really looking forward to 2007. Unfortunately for the veteran outfielder, a herniated disc would derail his season in April. While Johnson would ultimately come back in the summer, he was never really the same. He ended up hitting a dismal .236 with two home runs and 14 RBI. Despite the tough year, the Blue Jays re-signed the 31-year-old to a one-year $3.275 million this week. That's a lot of money to pay for a player currently penciled in as a platoon player in left with Matt Stairs. However, should the Jays end up dealing All-Star right fielder Alex Rios, it could end up being a good insurance signing by the club.

St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis is rolling the dice on Matt Clement, signing the free-agent pitcher to a $1.5 million deal that also includes $5.25 million in incentives. Clement sat out the 2007 season with the Red Sox due to a wonky shoulder. He joins a banged-up Cards' rotation that is already without ace Chris Carpenter (shoulder) until at least August. Additionally, starters Mark Mulder and Anthony Reyes are also both coming back from shoulder injuries, although both expect to be ready to go in spring training. When he last pitched, Clement went 5-5 with a 6.61 ERA for Boston in 2006.

Florida Marlins
According to a story in the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, the Marlins are close to a deal with free-agent infielder Jorge Cantu. The veteran hit .286 with 28 homers and 117 RBI with Tampa back in 2005, but since then has seen his career veer way of course. He spent the 2007 season split between the Devil Rays, the Reds and the minors. The Fish are also rumored to be interested in free-agent infielder Dallas McPherson, who became available when he was non-tendered by the Angels this offseason. If both are signed, they could battle Jose Castillo for playing time at the hot corner.

Washington Nationals
After missing the entire 2007 season with a broken leg, Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson could be ready for Opening Day 2008 reports the Washington Post. If Johnson does return, Nats manager Manny Acta will have to figure out what to do with Dmitri Young. The 34-year-old hit .320 with 14 homers and 77 RBI as an injury replacement for Johnson in 2007.

Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles acquisition of Chris Roberson this week from the Phillies for cash considerations may spell the end of the road for Jay Payton in Charm City, reports the Baltimore Sun. Payton appears to be on the trade block according to the story. That does seem like a bit of a stretch considering Roberson has yet to prove he can contribute at the major league level. The journeyman 28-year-old has managed just 69 career at-bats in the bigs and sports a .232 average for his efforts.

Kansas City Royals
Kansas City signed reliever Chin-Hui Tsao to a minor-league deal this week that includes an invite to spring training. The 26-year-old native of Taiwan spent the 2007 season with the Dodgers, going 0-1 with a 4.38 ERA. Tsao becomes the second Asian hurler acquired by the Royals during the offseason. They signed Japanese righty Yasuhiko Yabuta to a two-year, $6 million contract in late November.

Chicago White Sox
Chicago picked up another big bat this week, acquiring outfielder Nick Swisher from Oakland for a package of three prospects. The switch-hitting Swisher hit .262 with 22 homers and 78 RBI for the A's in 2007. He also pitched in with a 100 walks. Look for Swisher, who was very popular in Oakland, to become the starting center fielder with the White Sox. Pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Fautino De Los Santos and outfielder Ryan Sweeney went to the rebuilding A's in the deal

New York Yankees
Whatever happens with Roger Clemens in his current battle to clear his name from the steroid scandal engulfing baseball, one thing seems certain. He will not be rejoining the Yankees in 2008. Team executive Hank Steinbrenner told the New York Daily News this week the Rocket is not in the plans for the Pinstripers for the upcoming season. It's hard to find fault with the decision. Even without the steroid black cloud, it's hard to imagine the team re-signing Clemens after he earned over $18 million to win just six games in 2007

Information provided in MLB Roundup has been gathered from A.P. reports, ESPN.com, Sportsline.com, MLB.com and numerous other e-sources. Opinions expressed are obviously solely the opinions of the authors and do not reflect those of source material.