July 16, 2009

Pedro Signs With Phillies

Pedro Martinez signed a one-year deal with the Phillies for $1 million.

Martinez was put on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder strain and will make a few minor-league starts, but Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said Pedro could pitch for the major league team in two to three weeks.

15 comments:

Soxlosophy said...

I guess he'd rather lose his 100th career game, and risk bumping his career ERA towards 3, than be bored.

I wonder if he's hoping to match up against the Sox in the World Series.

FenFan said...

So is this to become the norm for pitchers late in their career? Rather than play a full season, wait until mid-season to sign with a contender?

To be fair, Pedro was looking for work to begin the season, so this is just a team looking to fill a need as the playoff push begins.

Still, it's an interesting development and I wonder if more aging veterans, including positional players, will look to do this to reduce the wear and tear of a full season. Smoltz, in effect, is doing this. No reason to think that Schilling might do that, too, if the right opportunity surfaces.

9casey said...

Soxlosophy said...


I wonder if he's hoping to match up against the Sox in the World Series.



In my opinion , he would care less, I don't think he holds anything against the Red Sox, but I don't know either way.

laura k said...

"So is this to become the norm for pitchers late in their career?"

Is there much evidence that it is becoming "the norm"?

Smoltz was coming back from surgery, so his situation wouldn't be evidence. Besides Pedro - who, as you said, was looking for work - anyone else?

laura k said...

"In my opinion , he would care less, I don't think he holds anything against the Red Sox, but I don't know either way."

I would agree. It's not like he just left the team.

Unknown said...

This is awesome. I can't wait to see him pitch again; I don't see any reason why he can't have a couple more successful years. It's not like he was some boneheaded thrower, he was a smart pitcher in the mold of Greg Maddux, but with incredible stuff. Even if he's lost some of that stuff, he'll still be able to get some guys out.

Honestly, I've never loved a baseball player as much as I loved Pedro, and as long as he stays away from the Bronx, I'll be an ardent supporter.

Unknown said...

Besides Pedro - who, as you said, was looking for work - anyone else?

Roger last year, and there's some talk of Paul Byrd pitching a little later this year, and before the season they talked about Schilling trying to do it.

Maybe it only happens with players going to or who previously played for the Red Sox?

Soxlosophy said...

of course, it's been 5 years since he's been on the Sox, but i was wondering if he hoped to match up against them/us only because he has never proven that the sox not resigning him was a mistake, and i imagine that someone with pedro's, er, pride, would care about that sort of thing, even after many years.

(of course, i have no idea if that's true. i'm just wondering)

i don't recall if he made more than one start against the sox with the mets, but i remember him getting shelled once. and obviously he never brought a championship to new york.

laura k said...

"obviously he never brought a championship to new york."

heh. not much he could have done about that.

Unknown said...

heh. not much he could have done about that.

Well, the Mets missed out on the playoffs by 1 game both of the last two years and lost the NLCS to the eventual World Series winner 4-3, so it's not hard to imagine that if he pitched a little better (or more often) while in Queens he might have another ring.

9casey said...

James said...
heh. not much he could have done about that.

Well, the Mets missed out on the playoffs by 1 game both of the last two years and lost the NLCS to the eventual World Series winner 4-3, so it's not hard to imagine that if he pitched a little better (or more often) while in Queens he might have another ring.




I agree at least a shot at one...but i am convinced every move Minaya makes turn to shit....

9casey said...

After all Minaya Made these guys all vanish in Montreal..

As General Manager of the Expos, Minaya traded away a number of young players that went on to enjoy significant success upon reaching the major league level. These include:

Jason Bay , who he got ,Lou Collier

Cliff Lee , who he got , Bartolo Colon

Grady Sizemore , he got , Bartolo Colon

Brandon Phillips , he got, Bartolo

andy said...

This is the new thing. Players are really assured that they will get a half year contract with a contender. It's just smart managing to sign older proven players half way.

FenFan said...

"So is this to become the norm for pitchers late in their career?"

Is there much evidence that it is becoming "the norm"?


Almost none. I'm thinking only of Clemens and now Pedro. I'm almost wondering if aging vets and teams will start considering this. I just don't remember arrangements like these in the past.

laura k said...

"Is there much evidence that it is becoming "the norm"?

Almost none. I'm thinking only of Clemens and now Pedro. I'm almost wondering if aging vets and teams will start considering this. I just don't remember arrangements like these in the past."


Thanks - I gotcha now. Yes, it will be interestingto see. If it does become the norm, I agree with Andy that it's smart managing and could be a smart career move for many players.