3:35pm: Martinez sounded far from returning in an interview with Justo de la Cruz at the Domincan paper El Dia today (links in Spanish), saying he's very happy to be away from the stress and travel of a player's life, which is to say, "I'm realizing what it is to be a normal person." An expanded version of the interview in the Puerto Rican paper Primera Hora further lowered expectations of a return in 2011, as Martinez added, "It's most likely that I don't return to active baseball… but honestly I don't know if I'll definitively announce my retirement." ESPN Deportes' Enrique Rojas pegged Martinez's odds of returning at 30% in a tweet this morning, but in light of the pitcher's quotes even that seems optimistic. – Nick Collias
8:29am: The Phillies haven’t ruled out adding a third Cy Young Award winner to a rotation that already includes Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay. Philadelphia GM Ruben Amaro Jr. inquired about Pedro Martinez’s availability at last week's Winter Meetings, according to Christian Red of the New York Daily News. It’s unclear whether the Phils are seriously interested in the three-time Cy Young Award winner.
Martinez, now 39, said at David Ortiz’s celebrity golf tournament that he’s open to pitching in 2011. He missed the 2010 season, but didn’t rule out a return to the major leagues. Back in 2009, the right-hander joined the Phillies for part of the season and posted a 3.63 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9 in 44 2/3 innings.
I am from the Boston area and feel OPedro is one of the best ever pitchers and I feel he still has what it takes. I woulkd love for him to return to the Red` Sox for at least this season. If anything to prove everyone wrong ! He loves baseball and he is such a smart pitcher. If no one takes him this 2011 season they are absolutely at their loss.
John F DeCosta, my book-The Eastside kid-by John F DeCosta