Originally Posted by djtestudo

The problem is, sometimes you get legitimate free agents who are not signed before the season, and teams sign them later on.

Clemens' situation is really no different then anyone else's, except for his stature. You cannot make a rule for him without affecting too many others.

(Of course, considering he isn't the horse he used to be and that is what the Yankees REALLY need to save their bullpen, he probably will matter little in terms of the playoffs: the bats will carry that team where it will go.)