HOUSTON -- Roger Clemens is seeking a record $22 million in salary arbitration while the Astros have offered the seven-time Cy Young Award winner $13.5 million, according to figures released Tuesday.

The Astros also exchanged 2005 salary figures with their other arbitration-eligible players, including outfielder Lance Berkman and pitchers Roy Oswalt, Tim Redding and Pete Munro, all of whom will be playing for Houston in 2005.

Clemens, however, is the uncertainty. The right-hander has yet to determine if he will pitch in 2005 or retire.

"We are proceeding down the arbitration path as if Roger were going to play; however, he has not yet made a final decision," said Randy Hendricks, one of Clemens' Houston-based agents, via e-mail to MLB.com Tuesday afternoon.

The previous record for an arbitration request was $18.5 million by Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter in 2001. Jeter subsequently signed for $189 million over 10 years.

"Roger has not indicated whether he is going to play or not," Astros general manager Tim Purpura said. "I've said all along we're going to wait patiently for his answer. We haven't put any pressure on Roger or his family to make a decision. Once a decision is made then we have to negotiate a contract."

Roger Clemens  /   P
		Born: 08/04/62 Height: 6'4" Weight: 235 lbs Bats: R / Throws: R More info: Player page Stats | Splits Gallery Team Site | Shop

If Clemens, 42, receives the $22 million it would be the highest salary earned by a pitcher in a single season, topping the record of $17.5 million set last year by Pedro Martinez, then with the Boston Red Sox.

The $8.5 million spread between what Clemens is seeking and what the Astros have offered is the largest margin in arbitration history.

"What the numbers do is they establish a midpoint," Purpura said. "Typically once the numbers are filed you focus on the midpoint, will an arbitrator think that our case is a winner or the player's case is a winner? That's what you have to determine. When those two numbers (are filed) there are going to be disparities, that's just the nature of the process.

"Typically in these contracts, I don't think there's ever a case where the settlement was at the club's number or the players' number, it's something in between."

Clemens, 18-4 with a 2.98 ERA last season, made $5 million in 2004, not counting an additional $1.8 million in incentives.

While he waits for a decision from Clemens, Purpura has other negotiations pending.

Berkman filed for $11 million while the Astros are offering $10 million. Redding is seeking $1.4 million and Houston has offered $575,000. Munro wants $1.1 million next season but the Astros have offered $525,000. Oswalt submitted an offer sheet for $7.8 million and Houston has offered $6 million.

The Astros have already discussed a multi-year extension with Berkman.

"Lance, because he's one year away from free agency, I think we're more motivated to get something done with him in terms of (a multi-year contract)," Purpura said. "Roy has two years left before he's arbitration eligible."

Purpura hopes to have all signed before they head to arbitration hearings.