share
email
font size
options
 
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Pedro Says No Done Deal Yet

Free agent pitcher Pedro Martinez left Jefferson Hospital this afternoon and told reporters and fans that he has not signed with the Phillies after taking a physical. "Nothing's done yet," he said as he exited the hospital. The he told Inquirer staff writer Jorge Castillo in Spanish: "I feel good, thank God."
Pedro put his arm around one fan and told another: "This is my man ..."
He then exited, taking no more questions as the TV cameras departed.
 

Posted by Andy Martino @ 12:43 PM  Permalink | 56 comments
56
Comments   
Posted 12:51 PM, 07/14/2009
dksurf
Quite the shy guy, no? Seriously, get him on the field and go get Halladay - today!
Posted 12:54 PM, 07/14/2009
chase2kspc
If people haven't noticed...other teams are in on Halladay. Maybe it's time we start looking elsewhere. Maybe talk to the Mariners.
Posted 01:02 PM, 07/14/2009
Will.i.Am
Get this deal done ! Then ( sorry I love Happ ) but get Pedro signed, so we can put Happ in the deal to get Halladay !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 01:10 PM, 07/14/2009
takeitdeep
No way do I want Erik Bedard. Get the Doc.
Posted 01:10 PM, 07/14/2009
bobbyuk
Chase--what other teams? There's only one speculated team after Halladay--the Angels--do they have the goods that it's going to take to get him? And will the Blue Jays deal him to another AL team?
Posted 01:17 PM, 07/14/2009
Dierte
bobbyuk - no offense, but they are talking about the Dodgers, Cardinals, Red Sox, White Sox, Yankees, and Angels all after him...sorry bud but the world doesn't revolve around just the Phillies..
Posted 01:21 PM, 07/14/2009
pjlay
bobbyuk: You must be kidding. For sure the Dodgers are after Halladay! The LA Times has been screaming for the Dodgers to get him for the last two weeks.
Posted 01:21 PM, 07/14/2009
donny05
When reading a PHILLY paper, yes it does revolve around the Phillies!
Posted 01:28 PM, 07/14/2009
Delaware Jim
The eagerness to deal Happ, arguably the Phils' best pitcher at this moment, is strange.
Posted 01:28 PM, 07/14/2009
UncleEddie
The Dodgers are not "in" on Halladay. They'd have to give up Billingsley or Kershaw, which is not going to happen.
Posted 01:29 PM, 07/14/2009
BaseballinReading
Forget Bedard! Get the Doc!
Posted 01:29 PM, 07/14/2009
SlinkTMP
Watch the Dodgers or the stinkin' Mets get Halladay.
Posted 01:29 PM, 07/14/2009
James TL
If all it takes is Carrasco, Donald, Marson and Madson I say do it now! With this deal the Phils get to keep Brown, Taylor, Happ AND Drabek!
Posted 01:30 PM, 07/14/2009
ktdb05
If Pedro is good he is going to be so much fun to root for.
Posted 01:32 PM, 07/14/2009
calm weather
I seriously doubt the Jays will trade a guy they "don't really want to trade" to a team consistently ahead of them in their own division. So, at least, take the Red Sox and Yanks off the list. Halladay wants to go to a team that has a great chance of winning, if he approves a trade, so take the White Sox off the list, too. So, it's Dodgers, Angels, Cards, Phils.
Posted 01:34 PM, 07/14/2009
phillynupe4
What is dierte smoking! yeas all we talk about is the Phillies! Got a problem wit dat!
Posted 01:35 PM, 07/14/2009
phillynupe4
What is dierte smoking! yeas all we talk about is the Phillies! Got a problem wit dat!
Posted 01:37 PM, 07/14/2009
thorshuffle
There are plenty of teams looking at Halladay. Whoever gives up the most talent will land him. Simple as that. Just because more than one team wants him is no reason to abandon ship and look a Bedard. That's just foolish. If I were Amaro I'd mortgage part of the future to land Roy. With the starting 9 the Phils have and that pen, a rotation of Hamels, Halladay, Blanton, Martinez, Happ would make this team look scary.
Posted 01:40 PM, 07/14/2009
HandNik
The Mets farm system is depleted, and the Dodgers don't have the pieces. The Cards need a bat to protect Pujols more than they need pitching. I don't know about the Angels.
Posted 01:44 PM, 07/14/2009
comin4ya23
The Phils can get Halladay, if they give up the prospects. Yanks and Sox are within the Jays division. Halladay might not want to go to Angels or St. Louis. Cubs and Rangers have the prospects, but no money. That leaves the Phils and Milwaukee. Toronto wants Marson and Donald, and maybe one of our pitching prospects. DO IT!
Posted 01:44 PM, 07/14/2009
J.H.S.
James TL, you have to had dreamed up that trade on your own bc it is ridiculous. The Jay are commanding 1 major league ready starter (Happ), 1-2 type A prospects (Drabek, Knapp, Taylor and Brown) 1-2 Type B prospects (Donald, Marson and Carasco) and maybe an additional prospect. I agree with Calm weathe ron the possible clubs to pursue Halladay and you can add Boston and NYY potentially, although you would hope the Jays would avoid dealing to the AL East.
Posted 01:47 PM, 07/14/2009
yahmpy
How come Chan Ho Park didn't have this much fanfare when he became our #5?
Posted 01:49 PM, 07/14/2009
SlinkTMP
From ESPN: Latest reports out of Toronto say the Angels have moved into the lead for his services. Meanwhile, in St. Louis, Roy Halladay is a bright enough star among fellow All-Stars that naturally, during the festivities, many players are asked if they'd go to bat to get Halladay into their own clubhouse. That's all nice, but as ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney has reported, no deal appears close thus far. ESPN Insider's Keith Law stated yesterday that the Phillies are asking for three high level prospects, a massive sum for any player. We'll update more throughout the day. Also... Whit Sox and Yankees are starting discussions. if I had to guess, the Phils will not do this trade and mortgage their future. When this core group of players gets older, they will not spend to get talent like the Yankees do. The Phils success depends on growth from within their organization. If the Phils start to lose, the stadium will start to empty and all of their "funny money" will leave. Like the Eagles, they will not mortgage their future for a couple of trophies today. Unfortunately, the long term business aspect always gets in the way of making trades to win for today.
Posted 01:52 PM, 07/14/2009
ipong
This is why the Phillies won't trade for Halladay. Just imagine, the Phillies trade their best prospects, they don't win the series. Just becasue you have the best pitching rotation doesnt guarantee you the series. (just think of the Red Sox last year who had Beckett, Lester and Dice K) Then they sign halladay to a 3 year extension. He pitches one year effectively, then is banged up and injured for the next 2 years and is ineffective and the phillies are then hamstrung with his huge contract. (remember it happens to many mid-30 power pitchers) Then the phillies have no stud pitching prospect to replace him (Drabek), no effective 3rd starter (Happ) and no stud outfielder (Taylor/Brown) to replace to Ibanez who will be 40 years old at the end of his contract. This is how teams turn into the Mets. Don't do it. Just sayin ...
Posted 01:56 PM, 07/14/2009
Jim C.
I like the compariosn s to the Eagles front office. I love the Eagles and think there front office is doing just fine. Howvever, I do think there are definitely times you go out on a limb (TO and The Freak were good examples, even if Kearse wasn't able to dominate the way we hoped--it was a good risk to take). Given the Phillies pitching woes (3rd from the bottom in NL ERA and we want to win it al again?) and there lack of a really good #2, I think you have to go after Halladay. Will Pedro free up Happ to be part of a deal? Maybe a great move.
Posted 01:58 PM, 07/14/2009
usn1223
All media outlets report that the Phils are the frontrunners and beleive it or not have the prospects to get the deal done...I only hope it does not include Drabek, Brown or Taylor.
Posted 01:59 PM, 07/14/2009
androoo
calm weather-I first thought the same, but I heard reports that Toronto's thinking is, they're already giving up on next year and then unless Halladay signs an extension he'll be a free agent in a few years and most likely the Yankees or Red Sox will get him anyway. So, basically he'll only be a problem next year and if that's the case, Toronto will at least try to get something for him and if the Yanks/Sox can provide something, they'll take it. I, like you, think it doesn't make sense and they shouldn't trade in their division, if not just for fan reaction, but that's just what I've been hearing they're thinking.
Posted 01:59 PM, 07/14/2009
westbrookmvp
Dodgers, Angels, Cards, Phils are all in contention for Halladay - bottom line is - Halladay calls the shot or he doesn't go anywhere. Get this guy in a Philly uniform Ruben!!!!
Posted 02:00 PM, 07/14/2009
androoo
sorry, meant to say, Toronto is already giving up on THIS year, not next. For those who want to give away Happ, how many first place teams do you know who trades AWAY one of their best pitchers?! Plus, Happ is a lefthanded pitcher. He's at the cusp of developing into a great pitcher.
Posted 02:02 PM, 07/14/2009
J.H.S.
We will not win the WS with our current rotation, that's as good as a fact. So lets keep prospects for 2-3 yrs down the road when we likely will be even further off from a WS, that's terrific. I'd put up with a 1-2 yr rebuilding phase if it brought 2 or maybe even 3 rings. Just sayin.......
Posted 02:06 PM, 07/14/2009
GreenReaper
Of course there is no deal done yet. Hasn't it already been established that they won't announce it til tomorrow regardless. Also, Halladay is NOT going to the Mets?? LOL, not going to happen.
Posted 02:14 PM, 07/14/2009
J.H.S.
Happ is only one of our best pitchers bc we currently do not have a legit # 2 and Hamels has struggled. Happ is a good pitcher who has pitched above himself recently. He is a # 3 at best IMO. You don't build around a #3 and certainly don't make him an untouchable member of your staff esp. if it leads to landing arguably the best pitcher in the MLB.
Posted 02:19 PM, 07/14/2009
R Mexico
My guess is they are setting up to move Happ with the (pending) Martinez deal. If this is the case and they get Doc, sign him to an extension then they try to sign Myers at the end of the year to a short term contract and fill the back end of the rotation with pitching prospect and maybe Moyer. Just my speculation.
Posted 02:23 PM, 07/14/2009
cabianni
Manuel asked for a horse a long time ago. Nothing happened. The Phillies were looking for a "front line starter" or so they said. Pedro was a Clydesdale now he's ready for the glue factory. There are plenty of teams in on the Halladay sweepstakes. Phillies will NOT get him cheap. That means they will get Pedro instead.
Posted 02:30 PM, 07/14/2009
mick314
Did anyone interview Zim ?
Posted 02:36 PM, 07/14/2009
jayw66
Angels have the talent but would have to part with too many big names, same goes for the Dodgers. I would be concerned about the Cards. It has been quoted that a Cardinals team source said "Give Ricciardi all our minor-league rosters and let him circle any 5 names."
Posted 02:39 PM, 07/14/2009
ConverseB24
Halladay isn't dumb, he'd prefer to play in the NL because his stats would be even better than they are now. For the first time in a while people want to come here to win. We need to not overrate anyone and give them anyone not named Drabek. The Angels have the best chance prospect-wise, but if we can match their offer he should sign off on a deal here.
Posted 03:04 PM, 07/14/2009
funsoaz
Agree with Delaware Jim. Happ stays for sure. Not sure I want pedro. not an october pitcher.
Posted 03:14 PM, 07/14/2009
ChahlieM
Halladay deal will not happen anywhere, and definitely not here. Pedro deal will happen. Your rotation the rest of the way - Hamels, Happ, Blanton, Moyer, Pedro. I sure hope Blanton and Happ can pitch on 2 days rest in the playoffs....
Posted 03:34 PM, 07/14/2009
GoPhilsGo
DelawareJim ... The eagerness to treat Happ like a future ace after 10 starts is what I find strange. First of all, Happ has not even been the Phillies best starter since he joined the rotation in May. In that time, Blanton has more wins (5 to 4), a lower ERA (2.81 to 3.03), more strikeouts (58 to 44) and fewer walks (17 to 23). And second of all, the Phillies history is full of pitchers who start their careers brilliantly only to flame out a few years later. (Marty Bystrum ... Pat Combs ... Brandon Duckworth ... Kyle Kendrick, to name a few.) Happ is off to a great start. And it's not a flukey, bound-to-crash-back-to-earth Kyle-Kendrick kind of start, either. He's having legit success. But the odds of him becomming a big league star are not good, and the idea that we should be reluctant to include him in a deal for a future Hall of Famer in the prime of his career is, well, silly.
Posted 03:40 PM, 07/14/2009
ACBaughman
Toronto will do nothing before the deadline.
Posted 03:48 PM, 07/14/2009
citizenkane
Dodgers are a possibility, Pedro and his brother Ramon both started their careers there. If he was going to the Mets, I think he would already be there.
Posted 04:05 PM, 07/14/2009
MichaelZoe
Delaware Jim and other doubters who do not understand baseball...not to be a HUGE pessimist, but look at the pitchers that the Phillies have developed...even their best: Cole (stud last postseason, struggling now), Kendrick (21 wins then down to minors) , Haap (much like Kendrick this is his first time around), Myers (erratic his entire career, then IR) and then assorted "prospects". Pitchers are SO difficult to bring along, I do not blame the Phillies for thinking about the short run and grabbing someone proven WHERE EVER they come from. Slavery and Draybek look awesome, but pitching is brutal these days, so in the mean time, GET HALLADAY AND PEDRO!
Posted 04:12 PM, 07/14/2009
MichaelZoe
how could you call Kendrick's success "fluky"? he won 10 games and then 11 games, but his ERA went higher and higher as hitters and scouts saw him the 2nd season around, until finally, Kendrick's lack of smarts, mental toughness and 1-2 more pitches sunk him. So far, Haap looks to have better mental toughness, composure, and better control. But I still haven't seen a consistent downward pitch (curve, slider, sinker, split seam fb) that will serve him well at the Bank, a la Kendrick. we'll see, but Halladay has pitched well in BOTH leagues and yes, there is a window of time to take advantage of with the CURRENT roster.
Posted 04:12 PM, 07/14/2009
st
The Dodgers do not have the pitching talent in their minor leagues like the Phillies, no way. They also don't have Dominic or Taylor to dangle. The Phillies will offer Happ, Brown, Bastardo and Kendrick ...the Jays want Drabek...we will see, I would trade Drabek in a heartbeat for the best pitcher in the AL, if not whole league.
Posted 04:17 PM, 07/14/2009
st
Why would Halladay want to go to St Louis? They have ZERO chance to win this year, none, zip...The Angels? Maybe. Dodgers can't compete with minor league talent. The Phillies have to make this deal or the fans will forever rip Amaro and Gillick. Ah, Gillick, the guy who signed Halladay way back...connections are key here!! Drabek/Schmabek, WIN NOW!
Posted 04:17 PM, 07/14/2009
MichaelZoe
guys, talented outfielders are a dime a dozen (Victorino, Werth and now Mayberry). the only positions we need to worry about are short stop, 3rd base, and then maybe catcher (always pitching). Trade ANY ONE outfielder, position player or minor league pitcher now for Halladay. no trade GUARANTEES anything, but our rotation needs a boost. It will be a combo of like Brown/Taylor, Carasco, Donald and take Kendrick as a favor. We're going to keep Slavery and Draybek.
Posted 04:39 PM, 07/14/2009
J.H.S.
GoPhilsGo... I could not have said it any better myself. Stop treating Happ like he is essential to the quest for another ring.
Posted 04:44 PM, 07/14/2009
andrewfrombrooklyn
It's a two-horse race: Cardinals and Phillies, because Halladay lives in Florida--he's not going to go to SoCal if he can stay east of the Rockies. Phillies have better prospects and more money. It's the Phillies' race to lose.
Posted 04:58 PM, 07/14/2009
butchcat
I think Baseball resticts signings and trade announcements during the All-Star break. As soon as this meaningless exhibition game is over, Phils will confirm Pedro's signing.
Comment removed.
Posted 05:02 PM, 07/14/2009
jwood
Yea forget Pedro, that guys not an October pitcher we need someone with a proven track record of continued post season success and big pressure wins in big American markets. Trade the farm to get a 32 year old with big game experience only Toronto can offer.
Posted 05:20 PM, 07/14/2009
CaptainBrophy
Basaball beeen verry good to meeee
Posted 05:47 PM, 07/14/2009
GoPhilsGo
michaelzoe ... Even when Kendrick was winning games in '07, all of his secondary statistics suggested that he was more lucky than good. He was getting hit hard and putting a ton of guys on base. It was pretty clear from the very beginning that he wouldn't be able to sustain his success (unless, of course, he added a change up to his repertoire or made some other significant change.) That's what I meant by "fluky."
Posted 05:57 PM, 07/14/2009
IssueMovement
thank you calm weather. no way he goes within the division to the sox or yankees. for whatever reason the cards seem like the most likely destination not named philly to me. scary, carpenter has been lights out and the rest of their staff is no slouch.
Posted 12:14 PM, 07/15/2009
BFlint
Sign Pedro and package him with Happ to get Halladay.
About Andy Martino
Andy Martino is in his first season on the Phillies beat. A former New York City public school teacher and graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, he previously wrote for the New York Daily News, where he covered baseball and worked with the award-winning investigative sports "I-team."
Advertise Here
XML The Phillies Zone on Twitter
 
phillieszoneZolecki. He has the style, and he has the guile @The700Levelwho would win in a Zoolander-esque walk off? You, Zolecki, Murphy, or Finger? - 11/18/2009
 
phillieszoneChat transcript, complete with dozens of typos and accusations that I am stupid lookinghttp://tinyurl.com/ybdgpbv - 11/18/2009
 
phillieszoneLive hot stove chat at 11http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillies_zone/ - 11/18/2009
 
phillieszoneAlso in that blogAmaro clearly wants to sign a free agent reliever or two, says that Eyre "may have priced himself out of our range." - 11/17/2009
 
phillieszonePhils bench hunt focused on defensehttp://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillies_zone/ - 11/17/2009
 
phillieszoneStairs, Cairo and Bako will be welcome in spring training on minor league deals. - 11/17/2009
 
phillieszonePhillies will prioritize defensive versatility over power bat when looking to fill Matt Stairs' roster spot. - 11/17/2009
More of The Phillies Zone on Twitter »
PHILLIES SCOREBOARD
BASEBALL NEWS FROM PHILLY.COM
Phillies' ticket prices going up
For Phillies, expect few fireworks in free agency
Phillies raise some ticket prices for 2010
Amaro knows what he's looking for
Phillies say Gillick not returning to Toronto
Pattison Ave.: Blue Jays CEO says Halladay won't sign