Pedro to the Mets

[Bomber]

Gammons is saying Pedro is almost a lock to go to the Mets. They have an extra year guaranteed and the Sox say they aren't going to match it and think he'll sign with NYM.

4 years, 48 million

[Bomber]

This is big. Its all over ESPN Radio.

[Bomber]

Actually 4 for 50.

[GrantDawg]

That's what ESPN radio was saying Saturday. So, they finally got one right?

[Fonzie]

Wow. Four years is crazy.

[jbmagic]

and he doesnt get along with Piazza

should be interesting

[Bomber]

BREAKING NEWS: WBZ radio is reporting that it appears Pedro Martinez will be leaving the Red Sox to take a four-year, $50 million deal with the New York Mets. Nothing is official and neither the Red Sox or the Mets have made an announcement. -- Developing

[McSweeny]

just like Hudson to the Dodgers and Renteria to the Red Sox right? I've been amazed at how many of ESPN's reports have been wrong so far this offseason

[stevew]

Good, now that Pedro has to go to bat, maybe he wont be such a badass. Harder to throw inside when you gotta hit too.

[Desnudo]

just like Hudson to the Dodgers and Renteria to the Red Sox right? I've been amazed at how many of ESPN's reports have been wrong so far this offseason

Don't forget Manny to the Mets. I'll believe it's a deal when the teams announce it. If he does leave, that certainly frees up some cash though. I wonder who they'll go after now that Pavano is likely a Yankee.

[Klinglerware]

I don't like the Mets, but this would be a good move for Pedro, if true. Shea is such an extreme pitcher's park, it even made Kevin Appier and his 88 MPH fastball look good... I would imagine that Pedro would enjoy similar results...

[Bomber]

Good, now that Pedro has to go to bat, maybe he wont be such a badass. Harder to throw inside when you gotta hit too.

Yeah he didn't hit people when he was with the Expos. :rolleyes:

[Fonzie]

I don't like the Mets, but this would be a good move for Pedro, if true. Shea is such an extreme pitcher's park, it even made Kevin Appier and his 88 MPH fastball look good... I would imagine that Pedro would enjoy similar results...

For Pedro's sake I would hope so, as there were many games least season when he was topping out at 88-89 MPH.

[McSweeny]

geeze

4 years 56 million

[Godzilla Blitz]

As a Red Sox fan, I'd be relieved if Pedro left. I don't think signing him is a good move. Shea and the NL make sense for him; he may get better results. However, I was thinking Pavano would come in a replace him. With Pavano gone to the Yankees, that leaves a rather large hole in the Red Sox rotation:

Shilling, Wells, Arroyo, Wakefield, and ??

Schilling's getting up there in years, and has had injury problems two years in a row. Wells is old as well. I like Arroyo and Wakefield eats up innings, but they need a number two starter who can spit out quality innings.

I like the idea of signing Renteria, though.

[Fonzie]

geeze

4 years 56 million

:eek:

[Fonzie]

Dola-

I like the idea of signing Renteria, though.

Bastard! Go steal somebody else's shortstop! :mad:





;)

[Desnudo]

As a Red Sox fan, I'd be relieved if Pedro left. I don't think signing him is a good move. Shea and the NL make sense for him; he may get better results. However, I was thinking Pavano would come in a replace him. With Pavano gone to the Yankees, that leaves a rather large hole in the Red Sox rotation:

Shilling, Wells, Arroyo, Wakefield, and ??

Schilling's getting up there in years, and has had injury problems two years in a row. Wells is old as well. I like Arroyo and Wakefield eats up innings, but they need a number two starter who can spit out quality innings.

I like the idea of signing Renteria, though.

I have a strong suspicion that they'll end up getting one of the A's starters if there's anyway they can work out a deal.

[Godzilla Blitz]

Dola-



Bastard! Go steal somebody else's shortstop! :mad:





;)

I know you're joking, but I think you hit on a issue that we'll see more and more of in the upcoming years: the Red Sox getting hated for their money. Now that they've won a World Series, they've gone from being a loveable underdog to being one of the few uber-teams that can afford to buy a good team.

Although it works to Boston's disadvantage, I think baseball needs to address the inequalities in the financial playing field.

[Anthony]

i agree. it's not even fun how only 3 or 4 teams tops can afford to field competitive teams.

how can any sport not want a salary cap?

[McSweeny]

i agree. it's not even fun how only 3 or 4 teams tops can afford to field competitive teams.

how can any sport not want a salary cap?

yeah those marlins and angels sure had a hard time feilding competitive teams with their small payrolls didn't they?

[Desnudo]

And the Twins and the A's.

[Bomber]

And on the flip side you have the Mets spending money and continuing to suck.

[Bomber]

For anyone waiting for confirmation:

No announcement from the Mets is scheduled, but Red Sox president Larry Lucchino has conceded that Pedro Martinez won't return to Boston.
"He was a great member of the Red Sox team for seven years, and a certain Hall of Famer," Lucchino wrote in an e-mail. "He will be missed, and we are disappointed to have lost him to the Mets and the National League." A deal will still have to be finalized with the Mets. The money may be essentially worked out, but Pedro will want his perks

[DaddyTorgo]

at this point I think they better get one of the A's starters. Ben Sheets just doesn't excite me AT ALL. And neither does AJ Burnett. I want someone with a bit more of a track-record. Sure, talk all you want about Burnett winning a WS, but he doesn't have the experience to be a #2 guy on a WS-caliber team.

[SirFozzie]

yup. If Pedro can get 4/50 out of the Mets.. good for him. I'm just glad it's not us rolling the dice on his health for that long

[Swaggs]

If I were a Red Sox fan, I would miss Pedro as a fan, but I would not be worried about the state of the team. Theo seems like he is capable and willing to build a team and if he loses Pedro's big salary, and possibly Manny's, he will bring in a combination of players with that money to replace him (or them).

[McSweeny]

If I were a Red Sox fan, I would miss Pedro as a fan, but I would not be worried about the state of the team. Theo seems like he is capable and willing to build a team and if he loses Pedro's big salary, and possibly Manny's, he will bring in a combination of players with that money to replace him (or them).

exactly. I love Pedro and will miss him dearly, but i cannot begrudge him for taking that kind of money/years. I have some amazing memories of him in a Red Sox uniform.

But

In Theo I Trust. He's done a pretty damn good job so far, and i have faith in him until he proves me wrong

[vtbub]

Pedro has always been an enigma.

Too bad his ego got in the way of winning.

He's an aging 34 year old pitcher capable of going 6 innings or 100 pitches and that's it. It would have been nice to see him retire in Boston, but the Sox are better without that contract.

[mgadfly]

I know you're joking, but I think you hit on a issue that we'll see more and more of in the upcoming years: the Red Sox getting hated for their money. Now that they've won a World Series, they've gone from being a loveable underdog to being one of the few uber-teams that can afford to buy a good team.

Although it works to Boston's disadvantage, I think baseball needs to address the inequalities in the financial playing field.

Am I the only person that loves to hate the Yankees so much that they think a cap would be a very bad idea for baseball?

[Bomber]

They've got money to burn now lets see what they do with it. Option 1 seems to be overpaying Renteria. Follow that up with signing Clement, probably at far more than he deserves, but that's how this offseason has been. Then try to trade Arroyo, Hanley, and maybe something else for either an A's pitcher (never going to happen), Ben Sheets (supposedly untouchable), or A.J. Burnett (would be a good move, but the Yankees are already there and I think they'll make a better offer if it comes down to it). I almost forgot, whenever Tek realizes he has no market and isn't getting 5/50, he'll re-sign with the Sox. I'm guessing he'll get 4/40.

[vtbub]

They've got money to burn now lets see what they do with it. Option 1 seems to be overpaying Renteria. Follow that up with signing Clement, probably at far more than he deserves, but that's how this offseason has been. Then try to trade Arroyo, Hanley, and maybe something else for either an A's pitcher (never going to happen), Ben Sheets (supposedly untouchable), or A.J. Burnett (would be a good move, but the Yankees are already there and I think they'll make a better offer if it comes down to it). I almost forgot, whenever Tek realizes he has no market and isn't getting 5/50, he'll re-sign with the Sox. I'm guessing he'll get 4/40.


If Edgar is willing to move to second in '06, then getting him is a good move. Clement is at least still on the young side of his career, definite risk here. I also wonder at this point if we take a shot at Derrick Lowe again.

[Bomber]

If Edgar is willing to move to second in '06, then getting him is a good move. Clement is at least still on the young side of his career, definite risk here. I also wonder at this point if we take a shot at Derrick Lowe again.

DLowe is going to get money he's not worth where ever he goes. I don't see him back in Boston. Clement is definitely risky, but there isn't much left out there on the open market. If the Sox sign Edgar its going to be to a 4 year deal. That tells me Hanley is going somewhere for pitching.

[Desnudo]

I think it's more likely they'd try and resurrect Cy Young before resigning Derek Lowe. You don't get the feeling they think very highly of him.

[Desnudo]

DLowe is going to get money he's not worth where ever he goes. I don't see him back in Boston. Clement is definitely risky, but there isn't much left out there on the open market. If the Sox sign Edgar its going to be to a 4 year deal. That tells me Hanley is going somewhere for pitching.

You know, that is the downside of playing in a large market. With the pressure to win all the time you end up trading away all your prospects for someone who can help you win right now.

[Bomber]

You know, that is the downside of playing in a large market. With the pressure to win all the time you end up trading away all your prospects for someone who can help you win right now.

The thing I've learned is most of these guys don't pan out, but when they do it definitely sucks.

[Swaggs]

It is ironic that Renteria may end up making more than Nomar and play for the Red Sox in 2005.

[Fonzie]

I know you're joking, but I think you hit on a issue that we'll see more and more of in the upcoming years: the Red Sox getting hated for their money. Now that they've won a World Series, they've gone from being a loveable underdog to being one of the few uber-teams that can afford to buy a good team.

Although it works to Boston's disadvantage, I think baseball needs to address the inequalities in the financial playing field.

You're absolutely right - joking aside, I already resent the money the Red Sox can throw around. I will admit that attitude might have something to do with them: 1) sweeping my Cardinals in the World Series and; 2) trying to steal our shortstop. But now that the Sox have won the World Series it will be harder for the average fan to sympathize with them as much - they're becoming just a slightly smaller version of the Yankees.

[Desnudo]

They started it!

[Blackadar]

I'm a Sox fan and I've always said that MLB should address the inequities in the game funding.

Back to Pedro...as a Sox fan, you have to love Pedro. But I'm very relieved we didn't resign him. I think he's aging, breaking down and doesn't show the work ethic that is required to pitch into his late 30s. We can take that $12.5m and spend it on two or three good players who may turn out to be like Ortiz. Pedro may prove his worth for a season or two, but I think the Mets will end up with the short end of the stick.

[Godzilla Blitz]

Boston Globe is reporting the deal as complete, pending a physical.

Pedro to the Mets for 4 years and $50 million.

Whew. Very relieved the Red Sox didn't spend this money on him. I just don't think he's going to produce anywhere close to that value over the next four years.

My only concern is that this is exactly how I felt when the Red Sox lost Clemens.

[Desnudo]

I think they're two different personalities though. Clemens took it personally when he left and got into incredible shape after having let himself go for a long time. I don't know if Pedro has that kind of make-up. At least he's out of the AL.

[Fonzie]

Boston Globe is reporting the deal as complete, pending a physical.

Pedro to the Mets for 4 years and $50 million.

Whew. Very relieved the Red Sox didn't spend this money on him. I just don't think he's going to produce anywhere close to that value over the next four years.

My only concern is that this is exactly how I felt when the Red Sox lost Clemens.

I also thought it was smart of the Sox to get rid of Clemens - but at least with Clemens he had the physique to possibly pitch well as he aged. Pedro doesn't, so I think the chances of him pulling a late-career Clemens are very, very slim. At best, methinks, he'll be pitching at 37 like Greg Maddux pitched at 37 - 16-11, 3.96 ERA. Good, but not $50 million-good. We shall see.

[jbmagic]

doesnt Martinez hate Piazza..

i tought he talk trash about Piazza when he left the Dodgers

[Suicane75]

Heres the main problem I have with the Mets doing this, and it was the subject of a long segment of Mike And The Mad Dog last week when this thing first started to leak, the Mets are not built for Pedro, I know it sounds ridiculous becuase of course you want talent wherever you can get it, but Pedro at this point is a 6 inning pitcher, and the Mets have no bullpen at all. He's gonna go out there, give up 2 runs over 5 or 6 innings and then the bullpen is gonna have to hold things down over 2 or 3 innings until they can get to Looper, and that just isn't gonna happen unless they upgrade significantly in that area. This is a great move if they go out and signifigantly upgrage their bullpen, if they don't however than this is essentially wasted money.

[Bomber]

Uh oh. This isn't a done deal yet.

According to ESPN radio, Pedro Martinez's agent has told the Mets he doesn't want a shoulder MRI included in the right-hander's physical.

[Solecismic]

That's big. Rumors are strong around here (and they are just rumors) that Pedro has significant shoulder damage and is always just one pitch away from a torn labrum.

Lowe was offered arbitration. In this market, he may well get a nice offer. But there's always the chance he could accept arbitration the way Maddux did in his last year in Atlanta. Then use 2005 to make a case for the big contract.

I've always liked Lowe. I hope it works out that the Sox can keep him.

[Chief Rum]

Uh oh. This isn't a done deal yet.

According to ESPN radio, Pedro Martinez's agent has told the Mets he doesn't want a shoulder MRI included in the right-hander's physical.

Sheesh, that's like telling a cop it's okay to search your car, but don't look in the trunk. :)

CR

[Alan T]

I also wonder at this point if we take a shot at Derrick Lowe again.


If I understand the direction the Sox front office is going with how they select players, Derrick Lowe does not fit into the style of starting pitcher that they are looking for. Obviously if they get good deals or bargain contracts on players that are not their "type" then I think they would go for it. With the demand for pitching the way it is, and the prices being offered to pitchers, they will not get Lowe at a bargain price, thus I do not think they will be actively seeking him.

[Ramzavail]

If the Mets don't get a MRI from Pedro, they are stupid.

Case closed.

If you dont sign Vlad b/c of a bad back, why sign Pedro with a bad arm?

[Blackadar]

4 years, $56 million. Good luck, Mets.

[Desnudo]

If the Mets don't get a MRI from Pedro, they are stupid.

Case closed.

If you dont sign Vlad b/c of a bad back, why sign Pedro with a bad arm?

Yes, if I were a Mets fan and they let him get away with that, I'd be upset. Sticking your head in the sand about something that serious would be a serious indication of incompetence.

And if he doesn't want an MRI it's pretty obvious that he thinks he has shoulder damage of some sort. You wonder if the Red Sox haven't had the same problem getting him to do it before. Prima donna.

[Fonzie]

Sheesh, that's like telling a cop it's okay to search your car, but don't look in the trunk. :)

CR

Yep. And trust me, that never works. ;)

[Bomber]

That's big. Rumors are strong around here (and they are just rumors) that Pedro has significant shoulder damage and is always just one pitch away from a torn labrum.

Lowe was offered arbitration. In this market, he may well get a nice offer. But there's always the chance he could accept arbitration the way Maddux did in his last year in Atlanta. Then use 2005 to make a case for the big contract.

I've always liked Lowe. I hope it works out that the Sox can keep him.

Jayson Stark has been reporting that he could have up to a 90% tear in his labrum.

[Desnudo]

He's known as a head case with confidence problems which is mainly why I don't think the Red Sox want to keep him. Although he pitched well in the playoffs, you're never sure what Lowe you're going to get. He might thrive in a lower pressure situation though.

[Godzilla Blitz]

I've always liked Lowe. I hope it works out that the Sox can keep him.

Does anyone know anything about his work ethic, in terms of keeping in shape and taking care of his body? He seems like a load, which makes me wonder how he will do as he ages.

I have little respect for the guy as a person, based on what I saw him do at a Twins game at the Metrodome. A friend of mine has great season tickets, in the first row, right beside the visiting bench, and I usually go to one or two of the Red Sox/Twins games each year. Last year, a fan came down and asked Lowe (who was on a rest day) for his autograph between innings. Although I couldn't hear what Lowe said, it was clear that he declined (as I think he should in the middle of a game). Whatever was said, though, the fan went ballistic, completely out of control. He was swearing and yelling at Lowe. I don't deny that the fan was a complete asshole, but all Lowe had to do was walk back into the dugout to get away from the guy, and the first row of seats is high up at the Metrodome, so it wasn't like the guy was anywhere close to Lowe. But Lowe chose to mix it up with the fan, and got into a verbal sparring match for a few minutes. There are lots of kids in the section, and it was an embarrassing performance. At the end of the game, Lowe was walking back into the dugout after congratulating his teammates, and he flashed the guy the finger as he walked off the field, right in front of the couple of hundred people that had assembled to get autographs. Ever since that time, it's been hard for me to respect Lowe. Frankly, he seems like an ass.

[Alan T]

From what I have seen, your experience with him at the Twins game seems pretty accurate for Lowe's personality. He has had a few times where he came off that way while with the Sox.

[Radii]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/041214

Does anyone else read this and think "What the fuck is wrong with Boston fans" ???

I know it's a generalization and a stereotype of the fans in Boston, but jesus christ, we've been hearing for 2 years how pedro can't go more than 6 innings, that he's always complaining and hurt, and now you win a world series and immediately start whining about how you aren't going to get to pay him $50 million for him to be broken on your roster instead of on the Mets roster?

GUH.

[Desnudo]

I think that's a gross generalization. Bill Simmon's really missed the target on fan sentiment in that article. I have complete confidence in Theo Epstein, as do the majority of Boston fans. The majority of fans are glad that Pedro signed with the Mets. He's wrong about David Wells. David Well's contract isn't guaranteed for $16 million, it's for roughly $3 million/year unless he pitches a certain amount of games. If he does that, he'll be worth the $16 million. I really don't know where the bitching is come from in that article, especially considering that free agency isn't close to being over yet. He talks about near misses, but the fact of the matter is that they didn't pan out. You look at what you have, not what might have been.

[Blackadar]

Use the money saved ($12.5m/yr) to sign Milton...and maybe Clements.

[Godzilla Blitz]

I think that's a gross generalization. Bill Simmon's really missed the target on fan sentiment in that article. I have complete confidence in Theo Epstein, as do the majority of Boston fans. The majority of fans are glad that Pedro signed with the Mets. He's wrong about David Wells. David Well's contract isn't guaranteed for $16 million, it's for roughly $3 million/year unless he pitches a certain amount of games. If he does that, he'll be worth the $16 million.

I agree completely. Is Simmons on the same planet as the rest of us?

[McSweeny]

I think that's a gross generalization. Bill Simmon's really missed the target on fan sentiment in that article. I have complete confidence in Theo Epstein, as do the majority of Boston fans. The majority of fans are glad that Pedro signed with the Mets. He's wrong about David Wells. David Well's contract isn't guaranteed for $16 million, it's for roughly $3 million/year unless he pitches a certain amount of games. If he does that, he'll be worth the $16 million. I really don't know where the bitching is come from in that article, especially considering that free agency isn't close to being over yet. He talks about near misses, but the fact of the matter is that they didn't pan out. You look at what you have, not what might have been.

i am certainly not glad that Pedro signed with the Mets. I would have loved to have him back and will miss him. However, i do not think it would be wise of the Red Sox to pay him the money the Mets are (pending MRI :))

So i guess you could say, i'm glad we didn't sign Pedro for that kind of money

[vtbub]

He took the chance to be the go to guy, and the money. He's got his ring. No hard feelings from this lifelong Sox fan.

I would have hoped that he had been able to see the forest through the trees and settle being the Sox 1A-2 starter for 2 or 3 years, take less money and ride the wave of love coming next year in Boston.

In my book, they all have earned a lifetime pass. Way to swindle the Mets, Pede:) .

[Desnudo]

i am certainly not glad that Pedro signed with the Mets. I would have loved to have him back and will miss him. However, i do not think it would be wise of the Red Sox to pay him the money the Mets are (pending MRI :))

So i guess you could say, i'm glad we didn't sign Pedro for that kind of money

That's what I meant to imply. Even the deal the Sox were willing to offer him seemed like too much for such a risk in my eyes. If he'd just take the damn MRI so we'd know what the real deal is...

[McSweeny]

i think this thread over at SOSH really sums up how us Red Sox fans feel about Pedro. Reading through it has brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion

Link (http://p086.ezboard.com/fsonsofsamhornbostonredsox.showMessage?topicID=14730.topic)

[Fonzie]

Everything is official now, as it appears Pedro passed his physical(!).

Somebody should lose their job over this. Either Jayson Stark should fire the source of his "90% labrum tear" rumor or the Mets' evaluating physician should be fired for missing a 90% tear of the labrum.

Anyway, it is now being reported that the deal is for 4 years, $53 million. And Pedro is laughing all the way to the bank.

[Godzilla Blitz]

Renteria signs with the Sox!

$40 million for 4 years.

I feel bad that the Cardinals lose Renteria, but I like the move from the Red Sox perspective.

[Desnudo]

Everything is official now, as it appears Pedro passed his physical(!).

Somebody should lose their job over this. Either Jayson Stark should fire the source of his "90% labrum tear" rumor or the Mets' evaluating physician should be fired for missing a 90% tear of the labrum.

Anyway, it is now being reported that the deal is for 4 years, $53 million. And Pedro is laughing all the way to the bank.

Did the physical include an MRI? And the guy who should be fired is the GM if he didn't force Pedro to take one.

[Fonzie]

Did the physical include an MRI? And the guy who should be fired is the GM if he didn't force Pedro to take one.

The AP article I read didn't say, but it did have this tidbit:

Earlier at a children's holiday benefit at Shea Stadium, Mets general manager Omar Minaya avoided questions about the agreement. Dressed in a red turtleneck shirt with a Mets' blue and orange Santa hat in his hand, he said the team generally asks all players with a history of injury to have an MRI exam, saying an exception would be "pretty rare.''

So, take that for what it's worth.

[Godzilla Blitz]

The AP article I read didn't say, but it did have this tidbit:

Earlier at a children's holiday benefit at Shea Stadium, Mets general manager Omar Minaya avoided questions about the agreement. Dressed in a red turtleneck shirt with a Mets' blue and orange Santa hat in his hand, he said the team generally asks all players with a history of injury to have an MRI exam, saying an exception would be "pretty rare.''

So, take that for what it's worth.

Be interesting to hear the whole interview. From just this, it sounds like an evasive "No".

Don't professional baseball teams carry salary insurance in case of a career-ending injury to a player? And if so, wouldn't any insurance company require their own evaluation of the player, or at the very least to see the results of the official physical at the time the contract was signed? I find it hard to believe that the Mets could get insurance for Martinez without an MRI on his shoulder.

[Fonzie]

From the NYTimes:

As a television news helicopter hovered near Westchester County Airport yesterday and an estimated 50 cameras were positioned outside, Pedro Martínez landed in a private hangar miles away, then went to show the Mets' doctors that his right arm has more than a few fastballs left in it.

Few physical examinations have held as much intrigue. Exams for free agents are generally regarded as formalities, but when it comes to Martínez, nothing seems routine. There were questions about whether he would submit to a magnetic resonance imaging exam and whether damage in the labrum of his right shoulder would scare the Mets away from signing him.

Martínez took the M.R.I., passed the physical and will be introduced as a Met in a news conference at Shea Stadium today at 11 a.m. Omar Minaya, the Mets' general manager, and Fernando Cuza, Martínez's agent, completed a four-year guaranteed contract yesterday that is believed to be worth about $56 million.

---------------------

So, it appears he took an MRI. The article doesn't say what the MRI found, but he at least took one. I'd be surprised if Minaya would (or could, as GB suggested) complete the deal with positive MRI findings, but you never know.

Enjoy your new starting pitcher, Mets fans!

[Desnudo]

That's interesting. I would love to hear what the MRI found, if anything.

[Fonzie]

That's interesting. I would love to hear what the MRI found, if anything.

I'm sure those results will be leaked sooner or later. Hopefully sooner, as I'd love to know too. :)

[rkmsuf]

I'm sure those results will be leaked sooner or later. Hopefully sooner, as I'd love to know too. :)

As far as a torn labrum, I don't think you can tell from an MRI. They've been saying only exporatory surgery can determine the potential damage.

[gstelmack]

Is Simmons on the same planet as the rest of us?
No, he lives in Los Angeles. It's the planet just past New York.

[CraigSca]

I just got back home and heard Omar Minaya being interviewed on WFAN. I almost had to pull over and vomit.

First, the interviewers (not Mike and the Mad Dog) were just GUSHING about how Pedro is a superstar and was the best free agent pitcher this year (please). Next, Minaya tried to focus on how this signing means more than just Pedro pitching everything 5th (6th or 7th - ha!) day. He was talking about how having Pedro on the team is going to allow the Mets to attract and sign many more Dominican players in the future. I love the spin on this - as if the Red Sox were Dominican Republic North during Martinez's tenure there.

This is another futile attempt by the Mets to steal the back page from the Yankees, nothing more.

[rkmsuf]

I just got back home and heard Omar Minaya being interviewed on WFAN. I almost had to pull over and vomit.

First, the interviewers (not Mike and the Mad Dog) were just GUSHING about how Pedro is a superstar and was the best free agent pitcher this year (please). Next, Minaya tried to focus on how this signing means more than just Pedro pitching everything 5th (6th or 7th - ha!) day. He was talking about how having Pedro on the team is going to allow the Mets to attract and sign many more Dominican players in the future. I love the spin on this - as if the Red Sox were Dominican Republic North during Martinez's tenure there.

This is another futile attempt by the Mets to steal the back page from the Yankees, nothing more.

Did you hear the press conference? It was one of the funnier things I've heard. After Minaya spoke they wanted to get Pedro and Willie on the stage and I guess they had to move some things and the whole room starts yelling and carrying on. All you can hear is "You have to move it over there Joe! Move it this way." At one point somebody unplugged the mics.

It sounded like there were like 1000 people there with the commotion. The reporters were trying to take pictures and I one guy started yelling "Come on, I've been standing here 20 minutes!"

Total chaos.

[Desnudo]

I just got back home and heard Omar Minaya being interviewed on WFAN. I almost had to pull over and vomit.

First, the interviewers (not Mike and the Mad Dog) were just GUSHING about how Pedro is a superstar and was the best free agent pitcher this year (please). Next, Minaya tried to focus on how this signing means more than just Pedro pitching everything 5th (6th or 7th - ha!) day. He was talking about how having Pedro on the team is going to allow the Mets to attract and sign many more Dominican players in the future. I love the spin on this - as if the Red Sox were Dominican Republic North during Martinez's tenure there.

This is another futile attempt by the Mets to steal the back page from the Yankees, nothing more.

They do have Ramirez and Ortiz although who knows what the relationship is if any. Ortiz apparently married some girl from Milwaukee and is building a house there so I don't know how much he has in common with Mango Tree.

[rkmsuf]

They do have Ramirez and Ortiz although who knows what the relationship is if any. Ortiz apparently married some girl from Milwaukee and is building a house there so I don't know how much he has in common with Mango Tree.

There's no doubt that the Red Sox are by far the most popular team in the Dominican. That's largely due to Pedro. I can see where the Mets are coming from but I don't see the Sox popularity changing unless Pedro and the Mets win. Minaya is correct that if they win a World Series it will help their recruiting but I think the whole premise is that Pedro isn't what he once was.

I kind of makes Martinez look foolish with his GM saying that one of the major reasons we got him was to be an ambassador to the Dominican rather than saying we think he can win 20 games.

[Desnudo]

There's no doubt that the Red Sox are by far the most popular team in the Dominican. That's largely due to Pedro. I can see where the Mets are coming from but I don't see the Sox popularity changing unless Pedro and the Mets win. Minaya is correct that if they win a World Series it will help their recruiting but I think the whole premise is that Pedro isn't what he once was.

I kind of makes Martinez look foolish with his GM saying that one of the major reasons we got him was to be an ambassador to the Dominican rather than saying we think he can win 20 games.

I read an article about feelings in the Dominican and the general opinion was that Pedro would be considered a traitor to the Red Sox if he left, not vice versa. If he had signed with the Yankees it might have been anarchy. It'll be interesting to see how it pans out.

[Logan]

Just a bump...

A few of you were ripping into Bill Simmons for his take on this subject, wondering how someone could complain about Pedro's lack of durability, and then rip team management for not giving him 4 years. Well, here's a quote from his "end of the year" column:

Even recently, my column after Pedro left the Red Sox was one of the most incoherent things I've ever turned in -- I'm not even sure what I was trying to say. But that's the thing about columns. You have good days and bad days. It's like being a hitter in baseball. You're not going 4-for-4 every day, and you're not going 0-for-4 every day -- unless you're Michael Gee.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/041228