Latest On Pedro Martinez

cmon pedro, take a minor league deal with a spring invite for the red sox

The Mets should definitely, definitely get Pedro. The Mets have the depth in Niese to go after someone who is not only available on a cheap one year deal, but has a TON of upside. If Pedro gets hurt, put in Niese or make a trade for a starter at the deadline. Pedro would make more sense as the 2nd starter addition (behind Lowe/Perez) than Garland or Wolf would.

If I had to guess the team though, I say Yankees. Here's why:

1. They could use a guy on a 1 year deal, and have the depth to survive an injury. If Pedro came back healthy for them, that's utter and absolute dominance.

2. Pedro has played for multiple years on BOTH of the Yankees' biggest rivals: the Red Sox and the Mets. A disdain for the Yanks could come out of that, big time.

Nats? A's?

I'd put money down that the Rangers offered that $7M contract.

"Cerrone also relays a Tom Verducci report from the MLB Network saying Martinez recently rejected a one-year, $7MM offer from an AL team. He must really dislike that team, because he's not going to get that kind of money elsewhere."

I bet you are right. I don't think he cares about the money at this point. I think he wants to win, and just pitch a couple good more seasons (or at least one), to show people he can still do it before riding off into the sunset. He does not want to remembered for what happened in 2008. I think Pedro takes 3 or 4 mil, maybe less if the Mets offer him that. He is a proud guy and I think he is honestly a little bit ashamed (he shouldn't be) of his performance and just regretful that he couldn't live up to his contract here. I still say Pedro Martinez was the single biggest factor in making the Mets relevant again and that he was worth every penny. People forget what an awful franchise they were before Pedro got here.

I wouldn't mind the Yankees taking a look at him on a nice one year deal . .Espically if the Pettite saga fails .

I absolutely think it was the Yankees that offered him the 7 mil...makes a whole lot of sense.

There is no chance he is signing with the Cardinals...They would probably only give him a couple mil guarenteed...

I can't remember, did Pedro leave with any bad blood in Boston? I was just thinking, Boston just signed Smoltz for similar money, perhaps they tried Pedro first? But that would assume he doesn't like them.

Registereduser - would you mind sharing your source?

Thanks!

"Even if he is healthy, his stuff is just not there anymore. This isn't prime Pedro; this is a guy who throws 85-88 mph when healthy."

It seems repetitive as hell, and it is, but is because people keep bringing up the same thing. So I keep bringing up the same argument. In 2005, Pedro Martinez threw 217 innings of 2.82 ball with a whip under 1.00 and a K/9 a fraction 9. He did this while throwing 86-88 mph.

"I can't remember, did Pedro leave with any bad blood in Boston? I was just thinking, Boston just signed Smoltz for similar money, perhaps they tried Pedro first? But that would assume he doesn't like them."

He did and that's why I think the team in question is the Sox. I can't remember the last time the Yankees only offered a single year to an established veteran pitcher and with other guys out there available, I seriously cannot imagine the Yanks were the ones interested.

$7 million and only one season fits the Red Sox M.O. for reclamation project perfectly. They've also got a ton of money to burn and nowhere to spend it, so I could imagine them being willing to go that high, as long as it was only a one year.

The one thing that makes me hesitant is that, last I remember, the bad blood had evaporated. He was angry and the media seriously misconstrued his words when he left and he's obviously still respected by the fans, he got a standing ovation in his first trip back to Fenway after signing with the Mets (After which, he promptly stunk up the joint).

Other than the Sox, though, I can't think of another team that would offer that much that he would probably outright dislike. My next best guess is the Rays (I recall bad blood between he and them back in the day, especially during the near no-hitter with like four benches clearing brawls in one game), but I doubt they'd pony that kind of money for him with their pitching rotation.

Petey going to the yanks is akin to Mo coming to the Sox. I would rather never see or hear anything to do with baseball again than see Petey wearing pinstripes.

I can't remember, did Pedro leave with any bad blood in Boston? I was just thinking, Boston just signed Smoltz for similar money, perhaps they tried Pedro first? But that would assume he doesn't like them.

Posted by: Socrus | January 08, 2009 at 02:13 PM

Everybody leaves Boston with bad blood!

In 2005, Pedro Martinez threw 217 innings of 2.82 ball with a whip under 1.00 and a K/9 a fraction 9. He did this while throwing 86-88 mph.

Posted by: nrmax88 | January 08, 2009 at 02:31 PM

That was 2005. How many total innings has he thrown since, and what have the results been? Eventually, it's time to bow out.

As for why Pedro left the Sox with bad blood, it's because they wouldn't offer him the long-term deal he wanted. They maxed out at three and he went and got four from the Mets. I'd say the Sox made the right move in letting him go.

If money isn't what he's after and he wants one more shot at showing he can still pitch, why dioesn't he consider SD and its forgiving Petco Park? Probably the best destination for a rehabbing pitcher wanting to reestablish himself. Lots of sun, no pressure, a weak division, few dangero htters, and a team with adefinite need for pitching. Just a thought.

In 2005, Pedro Martinez threw 217 innings of 2.82 ball with a whip under 1.00 and a K/9 a fraction 9. He did this while throwing 86-88 mph.

Posted by: nrmax88 | January 08, 2009 at 02:31 PM

Is that so? Because, I remember Pedro touching 88-93 mph in 05. His speed has declined even further since then. Again, he can still be a #3-4 on an NL team but I don't see him on an AL team. (Mostly because I don't think he's worth the injury risk for an AL team based on his salary demand)

In 2005, Pedro Martinez threw 217 innings of 2.82 ball with a whip under 1.00 and a K/9 a fraction 9. He did this while throwing 86-88 mph.

Posted by: nrmax88 | January 08, 2009 at 02:31 PM

The difference though is even in those days (and I think he was throwing slightly faster than that consistently), when he needed to he could dial it up into the low 90's. Even in the later innings, up 1-2 on a batter he could reach 92-93.

Last year it was obvious that by the 4th inning his arm was spent and even if he reared back 87-88 was going to be it.

Now I still feel for the right guaranteed money, he could be a effective 4-5 starter in the NL.

"Cerrone also relays a Tom Verducci report from the MLB Network saying Martinez recently rejected a one-year, $7MM offer from an AL team."

That must be a misquote on the salary. it was 1 year and $7.00 Pedro offered to pitch for some AL team and the TEAM refused..

Why would Pedro be a better bet on some team for a starter than Penny and Smoltzie A? Martinez has never learned to pitch effective since the bottom dropped off of his fastball for good, yet Smoltzie has adapted very well and Penny throws as hard as ever.

Anyone giving Martinez a contract had better sign tek also, that way the team has a "lost cause" battery in place when they play together.

I agree with the sentiment that the one year/$7 million offer smacks of the Red Sox. I don't think he left the Sox on awful terms, but I think he was hurt that they offered him so little to re-sign due to health concerns (which turned out to be quite accurate).

The decision to go after Smoltz could have been a backup plan to Pedro. I'm also kind of surprised that the Yankees weren't in on Smoltz. He would have been a good plan B after Pettitte rejected their offer.

there's no way Pedro got offered 7million. and from an al club? he cant pitch in the nL anymore, why would an al team want him?