DALLAS - Rocket II in The Bronx? Yankee GM Brian Cashman didn't say it could happen - but he didn't rule it out, either.

When the Astros didn't offer Roger Clemens arbitration yesterday, the 43-year-old future Hall of Famer became a free agent.

Immediately, the buzz at the Winter Meetings was Clemens returning to the Yankees for a second stint. He pitched for them from 1999 to 2003, helping the Yankees win two World Series and appearing in two others.

"I don't have any reaction to it," Cashman said of Clemens becoming a free agent after making $18 million for going 13-8 with a MLB-best 1.87 ERA in 32 starts last season. "I don't want to start a back page. We all know who Roger Clemens is and how special he is. I guess all that is for another time."

Then Cashman uttered words that leave the door open for a return if Clemens wants to pitch again and if he can live with the Yankees not providing the deal Clemens had with the Astros, who didn't require Clemens to attend every game in order to spend time with his family.

"I will be engaging all players in the free-agent market, as I continue to say," Cashman said. "So, I will continue to bang that same drum."

According to friends, Clemens wants to pitch in the World Baseball Classic in March for Team USA, but doesn't know if has another full season in him.

Clemens struggled with physical problems late last year and was forced out of Game 2 of the World Series with a leg problem.

Another drawback is that the Yankees have seven candidates for five spots in their rotation.