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Marcus Bryant
12-13-2004, 05:15 PM
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpa2lpNnFzBF9TAzk1ODYxNzc3BHNlYwN0 bQ--?slug=metspedromartinez&prov=st&type=lgns

Report: Pedro Martinez to sign with Mets

December 13, 2004

BOSTON (Ticker) - Pedro Martinez reportedly is leaving Red Sox Nation for the lore of a guarantee.

The Boston Herald reported Monday afternoon that Martinez, the premier pitcher available on the free agent market, is expected leave the Red Sox and sign with the New York Mets.

According to the report, the Mets swayed the three-time Cy Young Award winner by guaranteeing him a fourth year on his contract, something the Red Sox reportedly would not do. The Mets deal reportedly is worth $56 million

Neither the Mets nor the Red Sox could confirm the report.

Martinez always had professed his fondness for pitching in Boston, where he won two of his Cy Youngs and was an integral part of the Red Sox's first championship team in 86 years.

Not the dominant pitcher he once was, Martinez went 16-9 with a 3.90 ERA - the highest ERA of his career - this past season in helping the Red Sox to their first World Series title since 1918.

After anchoring the Red Sox's staff since his arrival in 1998, Martinez gave up the title of "staff ace" last season to Curt Schilling.

Martinez's best postseason performance came in Game Three of the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals when he pitched seven scoreless innings, putting the Red Sox on the brink of their championship.

Martinez, 33, has gone an astounding 117-37 in seven seasons with the Red Sox. He won Cy Young Awards in 1999 and 2000, when he went a combined 41-10 with a 1.90 ERA.

Signing Martinez would be a major move for the Mets, who have been criticized in recent years for not aggressively pursuing stars such as Vladimir Guerrero and Alex Rodriguez.

In New York, Martinez would be the ace of a rotation that also includes Kris Benson, Tom Glavine, Steve Trachsel and Victor Zambrano.

Losing Martinez also would be a major blow for the Red Sox, who reportedly lost out in the Carl Pavano sweepstakes to the rival New York Yankees. Boston did sign 41-year-old lefthander David Wells but is not expected to re-sign Derek Lowe, who won all three clinching games in the postseason.

The Red Sox reportedly have been pursuing Oakland's Tim Hudson and Florida's A.J. Burnett for their rotation.

Martinez began his career in the National League with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1992 before moving to Montreal for four seasons. He won his first Cy Young with the Expos in 1997.

A six-time All-Star, Martinez owns a career record of 182-76 with a 2.71 ERA and 2,653 strikeouts in 388 games.




Updated on Monday, Dec 13, 2004 4:38 pm EST

Johnny_Blaze_47
12-13-2004, 05:45 PM
Pedro #1 reason for signing:

http://gorillamask.net/bensonheader.jpg