Andy Martino of The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that the Phillies will announce they have signed Pedro Martinez on Wednesday for about $1 million dollars plus incentives. What does this mean for the Phillies?. Although the heart of the Phillies lineup is celebrating its stellar first half numbers in St. Louis this week, Philadelphia’s team doctors are still finding ways to keep busy.
Today, the Phillies medical staff met with former Major League ace and 3-time Cy Young award winner, Pedro Martinez.
Reports have since surfaced that Martinez, 37 years of age, passed the physical and we are to expect a one-year incentive-laden deal worth about $1 million to be announced tomorrow.
As a prime believer in that playoff experience can be key in getting it done in October, the Martinez signing is another small step in the Phillies attempt to repeat as Champions.
While Martinez did not pitch like the Pedro of old the last couple of years with the Mets, he did sustain multiple injuries. When representatives of the Phillies went down to the Dominican Republic to watch Martinez, he said he felt better than he has in 3 or 4 years.
For reasons that I don’t understand, some Phillies fans have discouraged this move, which would result in Martinez replacing Rodrigo Lopez in the rotation. I see this as a “nothing to lose” mid-season signing. Reuben Amaro is not paying him that much and while he could be a bust, at the same time he could be a pleasant surprise.
He may not throw as hard as he once did but Martinez has never known been known for overpowering stuff. He is a very smart pitcher who picks his spots well and hits those same spots with precision. I remember back a few years ago when he was with the Red Sox, I loved to watch Martinez’s curveball leave hitters looking as it entered the mitt of Jason Varitek.
I like this signing. So what if he was on the Mets, the evil division rivals, for the past few years. Martinez has to be pissed about how things ended in New York and it should give way for an interesting matchup when he starts against his former team.
At least we know Martinez and the Phillies fans have one thing in common: they want to beat the Mets.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I know you're a Phillies fan so you might not be aware of this but: A good player becomes a Met and then get hurts or sucks; or a player not doing so well will leave the Mets and become great. It's just how it is. So "So what is he was on the Mets, the evil division rivals, for the past few years," shouldn't even be a concern.
ReplyDeleteBecky, that was great and so true. Roberto Alomar, anyone? Anyone?
ReplyDeleteThe Phils have nothing to lose by picking up Pedro. He is a smart pitcher who can adapt. With that being said, as a starter, you're likely not going to get more than 5 innings. Six, if you are lucky. And in Citizens, Pedro may have a tougher time due to the hitter-friendly nature of the park. He probably will dominate the Mets at every given opportunity, though. Mota, Benitez, Heath Bell...all ex-Met pitchers tend to dominate their former team.
I also like this move. These small moves that few people tend to not pay any attention to are the ones that surprisingly end out great. Hopefully Martinez will get some fire (not as if if never had any, but maybe a little more than usual) and light up the National League and give a spark to the Phils rotation and get it ready for Roy Halladay!
ReplyDeleteThanks Roseann!
ReplyDeleteI don't think it was a bad move either. I think he still has some left.
If nothing else, it'll be interesting.