Pedro Martinez Rumors

Pedro Not Considering Retirement

THURSDAY: Martinez cleared the air today, saying he hasn't considered retirement and (barring a major injury) he wants to pitch two or three more years. TUESDAY: Mets starter Pedro Martinez explained his thinking to Roger Rubin of the New York Daily News. Pedro is feeling good and should be back with the Mets this month. However, he is not under contract past 2008 and retirement is an option. Martinez's father has brain cancer, and he wants to be there for him. Mets starters are fifth in the NL with a 3.89 ERA. Johan Santana and John Maine make a great...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Burrell, Pedro, Fukudome

Today's link collection. Jon Heyman notes that Pat Burrell only wanted to go to the Yankees or Red Sox when the Phillies tried to trade him a few years ago. They're not great fits, but perhaps Burrell will have those two clubs at the top of his list when he hits free agency. Ross Newhan looks at the Dodgers' trade of Pedro Martinez for Delino DeShields. He rates it the worst in franchise history. He also names the Brad Penny acquisition as the fourth-worst. Josh Kalk takes a look at Kosuke Fukudome's hot start for RotoAuthority. The Dodgers and Juan...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Schilling, Piazza, Howard

Tax day roundup... Some mild drama over whether Curt Schilling would consider pitching for the Yankees next year. He reiterated that he won't. It takes two to tango, anyway. Pedro Martinez may be out until June. Nelson Figueroa's chance continues, with Claudio Vargas as the backup plan. The Mets still have a solid rotation without Pedro. Mark Healey has heard rumblings that the Reds and Yankees are looking at Mike Piazza. Phillies Nation on why they would trade Ryan Howard. Bill Barnwell looks at the four trades Randy Johnson trades. I thought the Unit looked respectable last night, though it's...   Continue Reading

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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Pedro's Injury

Earlier this week Pedro Martinez pulled a hamstring in his first start of '08 and is expected to be out until mid-May. The loss of Martinez will likely only cost the Mets seven to eight starts, which might only be a difference in two to three wins over that span. Of course, two or three more wins in '07 and the Mets would have spent October in the playoffs. With the importance of every single start magnified this year for the Mets, it would not be surprising for Omar Minaya to seek outside help as a contingency plan for Martinez...   Continue Reading

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Pedro Injury May Lead To Acquisition

Pedro Martinez will have an MRI on his strained hamstring today, so the team should get an idea of how long their #2 starter will be out. We were already talking about the Mets possibly adding a starter before the injury; now the need is pressing. MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone suggests free agents Claudio Vargas or Woody Williams. Vargas is the most talented free agent pitcher; the group also includes Jeff Weaver and David Wells. Other random available starters I tossed out in my Kelvim Escobar post: Jason Marquis, Matt Morris, Matt Belisle, Byung-Hyun Kim, Horacio Ramirez, Anthony Reyes, and Cliff...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Papelbon, Darvish, Crisp

Let's round up some morning links. McCovey Chronicles feels that the Jose Castillo signing reduces the Joe Crede threat level for the Giants. Jonathan Papelbon wants to drive the market for closers upward. Keith Law discusses J.P. Ricciardi's decision to overrule scouting advisers and draft Ricky Romero over Troy Tulowitzki for the Blue Jays back in '05. If Yu Darvish is posted after this season, will it cost $75MM just to negotiate with him? From Buster Olney on Sunday: "Rival teams are not entirely sure if the Red Sox are devoted to the idea of trading Coco Crisp." Pedro Martinez...   Continue Reading

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Pedro Looking For Three Years?

Pedro Martinez commented yesterday that he'll look for three years maximum on his next (and last) contract. The 36 year-old is a complete unknown for '08, but hopes are high. Martinez could seek $40MM or more over three years if he comes up with 180+ strong inning for the Mets this year. Of course, that would once again be a risky contract for a team.   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Hughes, Nathan, Pedro

Here's today's collection. Interesting article about Phil Hughes' blog. We should see more and more player blogs as the Internet generation reaches the Majors. Jonathan Mayo's book Facing Clemens has hit shelves. The MLB.com writer attempts to put you in the batter's box against the Rocket. Nothin' doin' on the Joe Nathan talks. I thought they'd hammer this one out to restore some Johan goodwill. Guess not. Like reading about injuries? Take a look at Baseball Injury Report, by my friend Rick Wilton. Especially good for fantasy junkies. Pedro isn't going to approach the Mets about an extension, but he'd...   Continue Reading

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Could Pedro Retire?

All the New York papers this morning had Pedro Martinez's quote to the AP: "To go back, I have to recover. I have to be healthy. But if God doesn’t want that, then I would have to think about giving it all up." Pedro also says the pain in his shoulder is the worst of his career. Whether he's just talking out of frustration right now with the long recovery road ahead of him, it's hard to say. But what we know for sure is that the Mets won't be entering 2007 relying on Pedro for much. While the Mets..   Continue Reading

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