Martinez and Phillies close to contract
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Martinez and Phillies close to contract
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Pedro Martinez is flying to Philadelphia today, where he will take a physical. Provided he passes, which the Phillies expect he will, the future Hall of Famer's signing is expected to be announced by Wednesday.
The Phillies watched Martinez throw simulated games in the Dominican Republic on two occasions last week -- once on Tuesday and once on Friday.
"They said they liked Pedro," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said today. "They said he threw better than he was last year and that he was in better shape."
How will Martinez, with his flashy reputation, fit into a close-knit clubhouse?
"Pedro is a professional," Manuel said. "I've never had trouble with guys in the clubhouse. Just ask him to be professional, and if we get him, I'm sure he'll go along with whatever we do."
The Phillies would likely need a starter to make at least two starts before Martinez is ready. He only threw three innings for them in each simulated game. The Phillies would like him to face minor league hitters before he returns to a major league mound.
More as we get it
Not a starter. He will be Chan Ho Park II, good for long relief, if that.— ijj
Comment removed.- [Posted by tulsaphil 01:23 PM, 07/13/2009 Dumb if not DUMMer. The Phils can add a fie inning pitcher from their minor leagues. ] ... The Phillies have tried that several times already this year. After a few starts, the callups are exposed for the minor-league players that they are.— jman
- Martinez ticks differently than most. He has more money than he could ever spend. He would love to stick it to those stinkin' Mets. Can he be any worse than Kyle Kendrick, Rodrigo Lopez or any other triple A reject that they can call up? Little risk and mostly upside in this signing. Do you think Rollins ,Howard or Utley is going to let this guy ruin the clubhouse? A motivated Pedro Martinez is a good Pedro Martinez. He will be a big help.— syddan26
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- [Posted by SteveS11 01:24 PM, 07/13/2009 Hey, why not bring back Robin Roberts while they're at it. ] Steve, your comment makes no sense. Roberts hasn't pitched since 1967. (Now if you said Curt Schilling, or Vincente Padilla, or Joe Table, you'd have an analogy.)— jman
- $2 million or less, I would take a flier.— mjboyce1968
- explain the logic with regard to no pedro, no halliday. I keep hearing it but I do not get it. Not flaming here, just seeking knowledge. And, if you have the meaning to life please pass that along as well.— T3rdEyevisual
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- how is this a mistake? the guy is a proven winner, and one of the best pitchers of all time. thats not an exaggeration. sure he is older now and doesnt have the same stuff but is anyone going to argue that he wont be at least our #4 starter right away? i take him over moyer 10 times out of 10.— TR
- This is just like Kris Benson except Pedro was actually a good pitcher at one point, he's actually thrown well in a relatively high-level game in the last year, (WBC), and his wife is not known to all as being super-hot. She might be...just don't know. OK, and Benson was super-cheap, while Pedro is probably a little pricey.— B in DC
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- I love all the negativity. Can anyone name an incident where Pedro's been a problem in the clubhouse? Has he ever been arrested? As for on the field stuff. Clearly he's going to be better than anyone they could bring up from the minors, else they wouldn't sign him. Keep in mind that JA Happ is not Sandy Koufax. Phillies fans should know that rookie pitchers don't go untouched for long. Having Pedro on board will add a veteran presence to the staff in case they need to dip into farm system later on.— booman55
- If the Phils sign Pedro, I predict that he will win more games in the 2nd half than the "ACE" Hamels.— bhs1944
- This comment interrupted for a tip 'o the cap to mick314 for well-placed Bob Buhl reference. Gotta love it. Pedro? Why not? It's only cash and at $6.75 per, we'll pay him in beer revenue. If he stinks, he's still cheaper than Eaton.— wooderice
