While Pedro Martinez Play in the MLB this Year

As the MLB season progresses, injuries start to take their toll and teams start to push harder for playoff positions, all options are analyzed just a little bit harder. Free agents who drew no attention before, get noticed and the trade mil starts to churn. This week alone the LA Angels of Anaheim, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays are all sending scouts down to the Dominican Republic to see Pedro Martinez pitch on Friday. Does this mean that the former superstar will be signed to an MLB contract any day now? Absolutely not, but the interesting is growing slowly but surely.

The rumors that have started to spin over serious interest in Pedro seem to have been started by Martinez’ agents, possibly to try and make other teams jump the gun. However, for all the teams that are sending scouts down south, none of them seem to have a real interest in getting anymore starting pitchers. The Yankees, Rays and Angels are all looking to improve their bullpen, not the starting rotation and the Cubs have to be more concerned with improving their offense than getting more pitching.

The real obstacle for many teams is the money that Martinez appears to be asking for. Even though he is unproven over the last few years, is past his prime and dealt with some major injuries, Martinez is still asking for around $5 for the year and refuses to sign a minor league deal. That is a lot to ask and a lot of faith to put into such a risky signing. While Martinez was quoted saying that he was close to signing with the Rays and the Cubs, representatives from each team mentioned they had not seriously considered the option and still had a lot to think about before even tendering a contract offer.

Last season Martinez finished with a 5-6 record and an ERA just under 6 after 20 starts with the New York Mets. While these numbers are less than impressive Martinez is set on cashing in on a big contract and has also stated that the will only sign with a World Series contender. Whether is demands are actually met remains to be seen, but there is a chance that the veteran is making it far too hard for any team to sign him. Which may end up forcing the 17 year MLB veteran into an early retirement. However history has shown that there are many teams that are willing to overpay for any sort of talent in the middle of the season. Teams get visions of a deep run into the playoffs and GM’s will do anything to make their teams look better on paper, or better to the fans. A marquee name like Martinez could bring a lot of excitement to a team that is struggling with low attendance such as the Toronto Blue Jays. Look for the Blue Jays to make a push later on for Martinez if he lowers his demands, especially with the rash of injuries that have struck the competitive team.