Martinez still in mix

POSTED: July 13, 2009

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Montreal Expos starting pitcher Pedro Martinez delivers a pitch to Colorado Rockies batter Andres Galarraga in the frist inning in Denver on Tuesday, July 29, 1997.(AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)

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Are the Phillies closing in on a deal with free-agent righthander Pedro Martinez to help their starting rotation?

The team's front office will not say anything about talks with the 37-year-old veteran's agent, Fernando Cuza. But manager Charlie Manuel said Saturday that the organization came out of Friday's simulated game thinking that Martinez looked better than last season. The Phils have seen him work out twice in the Dominican Republic.

"If he can help us, of course I want him," Manuel said. "He's a competitor. He has his own way. He is his own man. I always liked him because he was cocky, had swagger, was determined."

Last season, Martinez was 5-6 with a 5.62 ERA for the New York Mets. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is 214-99 in his 17-year career.

- Andy Martino

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