No, he did not say that he vowed to.
As far as this being a big year for him contractually, isn't that the case with most of the ball players? I don't think that they let things "slide" once they have a big contract, because I really believe that the vast majority of them are professionals who have a sense of pride in themselves and in the game. But I do think many players kick it up a notch in that contract year as far as being in better condition and working a little harder, which makes you wonder why they don't do it every year.
I don't know CP. This sounds like some kind of a shot towards Buchholz. Even Jon Lester had a career year in his walk year.
We all know Clay is fragile. However, I have never gotten the impression that he did not work hard or that he did not care about not being on the field.
I don't know if I would call him a numbskull, but I think he is very fragile, both physically and mentally. His mental fragility shows when he is dealing with a physical injury and when he is on the field and he gets in a little trouble.
That said, I have always liked him. He is maddening at times, but when he's "good Clay", watching him pitch is a thing of beauty.
I'm not going to hold my breath for 200 innings, or even 180 innings, but if he gives us half a season like he did last season, I will be happy with his signing for this year.
I agree with you that Clay needs to stop talking and let his performance on the field do the talking for him.
He sounded like he was really hoping that he would not be traded when all the trade speculation was circulating earlier in the offseason. Perhaps being in his contract year and knowing that the team has one more option that they can pick up on him will give him the incentive that he needs.