Nothing imminent with Pedro
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Nothing imminent with Pedro
David Murphy
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.
We don't have the prospects to get Cliff Lee back unless we are willing to deal Trevor May or Domonic Brown. That's what happens when you deal 7 of your top 10 prospects in less than a year's time.— Chewey- Sure i would take him back , but lets check him out in a minor league stint first , You know to get him warmed up. Then if he looks like he can go , first opportunity bring him up .— Al_in_SD
- Lee van Cleef: Master Ninja.— th
- id take cliff lee over pedro easily— jb99
- stan, really dude? This will be a season to remember and still you are negative. Howard has never started off so strong, Polanco has been a great pick up. Once Victorino and Ibanez find their swings the NL might as well just stay home for the playoffs.— bobf876
- not sure what he did for the phils besides lose two world series games. Albeit the first loss he left in the 7th with a 2-1 score. Probably not the answer people are looking for.— mundiff
- Greinke signed a 4-year contract in January. No way no how he's available at the trade deadline.— GoPhilsGo
- The Phils are sitting pretty. If the rotation excels, then we're fine and can bring in Pedro cheap without losing anyone. If the rotation stinks, we can still bring in Pedro. If the rotation stinks and Pedro stinks, we can trade Werth at the deadline for a pitcher. End of story. Relax. Enjoy the greatest team in baseball for once.— MichaelZoe
- Other than game 6 in the WS when Pedro was not himself, he was terrific for us. He knows how to pitch and I'd love him back here as our 5th starter. He also keeps the team nice and loose. I will always remember him coming here and outdueling Lincecum and also shutting out the Mets in a crucial Sunday night game.— bradco
- i wonder why know other team has expressed interest in Pedro?— klschs
- Do I want Pedro back? In a word? NO— JBinPA
- YES, bring Pedro back. I wasn't always a fan, but he proved last year to still have it in warm weather. His start in L.A. in NLCS was masterful. (although I would have given the ball in games 2 and 6 of WS to the 2008 WS MVP Hamels, game 3 to Blanton, and started Pedro in game 4). He proved he's still got it. Sign him before someone else we'd likely be facing does.
Hamels and Kendrick for Cliff Lee. Sooner the better.- The phils can't win WS with one dominant pitcher. Lee trade will prove to be huge mistake in playoffs. Cole done as #1 type starter, no confidence. Let's hope Happ can make a difference bc this ownership group will not go above and beyond for us fans.— philscheapowners
- Lets wait till mid season and see if we need him and what shape he's in. GO PHILLIES!!!!— wcoastphan
