Bronx, NY (My Sportsbook) - New York Yankees ace Roger Clemens declined to exercise his option for the 2003 season, meaning that he is eligible to file for free agency.

The five-time Cy Young Award winner accepted a $10.3 million buyout, which was really a designed feature of his contract. In order to keep the Yankees' payroll down, Clemens agreed to structure his contract as a two-year deal with a third-year option. This way Clemens counted for $10.3 million a year against the payroll, instead of the $15.45 million it would have cost the team in a two-year deal.

Despite Clemens' impending entrance into the free agent market, New York is still very interested in signing the veteran starter. The 40-year-old Clemens has 293 career wins and the Yankees would like to see the future Hall of Famer collect his 300th career victory in pinstripes. However, the hard-throwing righthander will probably at least field offers from other teams.

Last season, Clemens went 13-6 with a 4.35 ERA in 29 starts with the Yankees. He also compiled 192 strikeouts in 180 innings.