HOUSTON -- Roger Clemens asked for a salary that matches his uniform number -- with a bunch of zeros added on.

Clemens filed for a record $22 million in arbitration on Tuesday, and the Houston Astros offered the seven-time Cy Young Award winner $13.5 million.

The Rocket, who helped lead the Astros within one win of their first World Series last season, still has not decided whether to pitch this year or retire.

"We are proceeding down the arbitration path as if Roger were going to play," Clemens' agent, Randy Hendricks, said. "He has not yet decided whether to play in 2005, but I expect him to do so by Feb. 1 at the latest."

Clemens, who wears No. 22, would be playing his 22nd major league season.

Until now, the highest figure ever submitted for arbitration was $18.5 million in 2001 by New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who then agreed to a $189 million, 10-year deal.

The highest salary ever earned by a pitcher in a season was $17.5 million, last year by Boston's Pedro Martinez.

"We looked at what some of the comparables were -- Greg Maddux, Randy Johnson -- and we tried to use those star-quality players to come up with a number,'' Astros general manager Tim Purpura said.

Clemens, 42, left the Yankees after the 2003 season and intended to retire. But after former teammate Andy Pettitte signed with the Astros, Clemens was persuaded to sign with his hometown club.

He took an undermarket deal that guaranteed him $5 million, of which $3.5 million was deferred without interest until July 1, 2006. Clemens earned an additional $1,825,000 in bonuses based on his selection to the NL All-Star team and Houston's home attendance, which was more than 3.3 million, including the postseason.

The $8.5 million spread between his figure and the Astros' was exactly double the previous high in salary arbitration -- the Yankees filed at $14.25 million with Jeter in 2001. The midpoint of $17.75 million is just above the highest listed salary for a pitcher this season -- Randy Johnson's salary with the New York Yankees is calculated at $16.5 million, including a prorated share of the $1 million personal-services contract he agreed to with the Arizona Diamondbacks before he was traded.

Clemens had a remarkable season, going 18-4 with a 2.98 ERA and 218 strikeouts. As he did last winter, he says he is leaning toward retirement but has not ruled out playing.

With the loss of Carlos Beltran to the New York Mets more than a week ago, Purpura realizes that securing Clemens for another year would bolster the Astros' hopes of reaching the playoffs for the sixth time in nine seasons.

"As I've said all along we're going to wait patiently for his answer," Purpura said. "Having Roger Clemens here is very important to the team, the city and the fans. It would be great to have Roger on board."

Astros outfielder Lance Berkman, who is eligible for free agency after next season, asked for $11 million and the team offered $10 million. The sides might try to work out a multiyear deal. Pitcher Roy Oswalt asked for a raise from $3,425,000 to $7.8 million and was offered $6 million.

Two pitchers asked for more than double what Houston was offering: Tim Redding ($1.4 million vs. $575,000) and Pete Munro ($1.1 million vs $525,00).

Hearings will be held next month for players who don't agree to settlements.

that's rediculous

You know why he's doing it? Cause he's not coming back and he wants to see if they're crazy enough to give him 22 Mil in Arbitration.

I don't even know what to do with 22$. Imagine 22 million dollars!

Buy that ice cream with gold in it?

Or buy a golden shower

Touche.

And gross you dirty bastard.

Roger Clemens has to be laughing all to the way to the bank. 18 Million for one year. The Astros were having such a bad offseason they were willing to throw anything at Clemens to get him back.

They let a potential franchise-guy like Beltran go and give Clemens 18 for a single-season? That is just plain dumb...

Well the thing is they couldn't give him any less than 16 Mil since that's what RJ got and Clemens won the Cy Young over RJ.

Johnson deserved to be the Cy Young last year, as his record was a victim of a terrible team and poor run support, but as BackToTheFuture said, they only look at the actual result, and Clemens did win, so arbitrator had to say he is worth more than Johnson.

Looks like Clemens is the only one NOT overpaid in Houston...

Damn.

Why couldn't I be good at this. I could use $18 million a season.