Nothing imminent with Pedro
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Nothing imminent with Pedro
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
You've read this several times over the past couple months, but in light of an ESPN Deportes story that has gained some traction, it bears repeating. The Phillies and Pedro Martinez are not close to an agreement that would bring the veteran righthander back to the Phillies. The two sides have maintained open communication since the end of last season, and Martinez remains an option for the Phillies should they find themselves in need of starting pitching later in the season. But as of right now, the coaching staff and front office feel like their best course of action is to evaluate their current rotation before making any drastic decisions.
Kyle Kendrick and Jamie Moyer both turned in less-than-stellar results in their first starts of the season, but the Phillies know that any fair judgment requires a body of work.
This is what will likely end up happening:
Kendrick will remain in the rotation until righthander Joe Blanton is ready to return from the disabled list. At the earliest, this won't happen for another week-and-a-half. In all likelihood, Kendrick will get three more starts, including tomorrow against the Nationals. At that point, the Phillies will go in one of three directions: Either they'll send him back to the minor leagues to start, keep him in the bullpen as a long reliever, or keep him in the rotation over Jamie Moyer.
At that point, the Phillies will likely wait until mid-to-late May to decide whether their current No. 5 starter (Moyer or Kendrick) is a better option than Matinez. Last year, they waited until mid-May to remove Chan Ho Park from the rotation. It stands to reason that they will afford Moyer or Kendrick a similar length of rope.
If the Phillies start to look at Martinez as a serious option, I'd expect them to try to bring him into the fold earlier than they did last season, since it was August by the time he was ready to join the rotation.
Granted, injuries could change this timetable.
For now, though, a return by Pedro is not imminent.
Possible, but not imminent.
twentysecs wherever you are, it's nice they let the patients have access to a computer, unfortunatley they obviously don't give you access to reading material. Roy Halladay himself said he wanted Lee on the team and didn't know he was traded until his deal was done. Bet he was disappointed. By the way, Jimmy Rollins, Jayson Werth, and Charlie have also made it clear they weren't happy about the trade. Go yell at them and see how that works out for you. YOU DON'T GET TO TELL OTHER FANS WHAT TO SAY OR THINK OR WHO THEY CAN ROOT FOR.— TMcG
Comment removed.- Hmmm, and how much rope will they give Hamels?— vnvets
Get rid of Hamels while he still may have some trade value.- Dull.........is— mick314
- Cole Hamels looks great. Trade him for Cliff Lee.— brent179
- CLIFF LEE apologizes to all his fellow Phils fans who didn't GET IT! GO Doc!— stan the man too
- kendrick is not an MLB pitcher. and he keeps proving it over and over. every spring training everyone gets all excited that he wins a few grapefruit games and every season he can't get out of the fifth inning.— snakeplissken
Y'all still think signung Polanco to a 3 year deal is a mistake?- Y'all still think signung Polanco to a 3 year deal is a mistake?
The number one priority for the trade deadline will be to get a closer! Any scrub team with a decent closer who can come here and close, or work setup as needed. Maybe one of Toronto's spare closers either Frasor or Gregg.— burholme- Can't believe there is nothing else to write about besides a rumor about a washed up pitcher. Instead of regurgitating rumors, how about some real articles about the farm team players we don't get to see. Sorry, I guess that would require some actual journalism vice surfing the net. P.S. For all you Cliff Lee fans, how many games has HE won this year. Roy is 2-0. Good move Ruben.— flyerdup
- If Cliff Lee were still with the Phillies, the entire city would be in panice mode. You would be reading stories likening Lee's injury to Cole Hamels' struggles last season. There would also be reports that he may not pitch this season or may not be ready to pitch unitl mid-June or later. In the meantime, the Phillies would have some one not on the current roster starting in the rotation (most likely a minor leaguer) because Blanton is still hurt. And when he returned, they would still need Kendrick and Moyer to both start until Lee returned. This season would certainly not be starting well had the Phillies kept Lee. Lee is gone. There was no guarantee the Phillies would have been able to sign Lee to a long-term deal. IMHO, the Phillies have decided they need to win within the next three to four years because by that time Howard and company will be old as far as baseball is concerned.— titan999
- I say yes..maybe he can help some of the younger guys!!!! Low risk high reward with Pedro same as last year!!!!!— fly4philly
- By all means bring him back in July. He's a warrior!
