Pedro Is a Phillie

by David S. Cohen on Jul 14, 2009 9:58 PM EDT

Your newest Philadelphia Phillie: Pedro Martinez.

Per Todd Zolecki on Twitter about twenty minutes ago: "Pedro is locked down. One year about $1 million, plus $1.5 million in incentives. News conference tomorrow."

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Yay?

by Eric Simon on Jul 14, 2009 10:03 PM EDT reply actions

For only a million

Def worth the risk

by Ant on Jul 14, 2009 10:04 PM EDT reply actions

Despite no Nelson de la Rosa, I’ll agree

by andyreidswaistline on Jul 14, 2009 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed...

even if he sucks, it’s not a huge hit. i’m surprised pedro signed for that little.

by awd777 on Jul 15, 2009 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Confirmed on Phillies.com

News conference scheduled for Wednesday.

by andyreidswaistline on Jul 14, 2009 10:08 PM EDT reply actions

Hmmm… Pedro-1 mil, Moyer-6.5 mil. I know Pedros only signed for half the year, but for guys that should have similar numbers, something don’t seem right here.

by philiafan14364 on Jul 14, 2009 10:28 PM EDT reply actions

It says to me that the guy really wants to pitch. Hunger is good.

by andyreidswaistline on Jul 14, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope he eats before he pitches, hate to see him pass out on an empty stomach

Don't frack with me or you'll get a punch in the kidneys...you've been warned

by jemagee on Jul 14, 2009 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions

That and Moyer and is overpaid…

Bleeding Green Nation - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jul 14, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

and yea

"I think pro athletes should be forced to use steroids. I think we as fans deserve the greatest athletes science can create."- Daniel Tosh

If Football Had A Church , Brian Dawkins Would Be My Preacher. -NPK

by NorthPhillyKid on Jul 15, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Certainly a worthwhile gamble, and I’m glad the money is reasonable — the money, after all, was the only reason Pedro hadn’t been signed by anyone earlier.

And on a complete sentimental note: even though he’s way past his prime, I still think it’s cool that one of the greatest pitchers of all time will be donning a Phillies jersey.

by PhillyFriar on Jul 14, 2009 10:33 PM EDT reply actions

First mobile comment…

I was against this at first and I still don’t think he’s “the” answer. But it sounds like they did their homework, the cost is very reasonable and as the #5 he could be an asset. Here’s hopin’.

by dajafi on Jul 14, 2009 10:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Minors

And starting in the minors to get his feet wet again is key. If he can’t get the guys out in AAA ball, they’ll have no obligation to bring him up. Or, at least, I hope not.

by David S. Cohen on Jul 14, 2009 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, not much risk here. Especially given what we would be throwing out there at #5 form here on out if we didn’t get him. Certainly worth a roll of the dice for just a million bucks.

And he will get the full million right? This isn’t a pro rated deal is it?

Bleeding Green Nation - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jul 14, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions

As I read it, the million is post-prorating.

by taco pal on Jul 14, 2009 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions

At about $100k per start by the time he’s ready—and if he stays healthy—I shed no tears for Pedro. Plus if he excels, I’m sure he clears the extra mil and a half.

by dajafi on Jul 14, 2009 11:52 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I am happy w/ this signing. I heard Pedro say that one reason for him coming is to help the young arms on the team. Very low risk considering what players are being paid this year! And for over 1/2 price of what Eaton cost us this year!

by DeanH on Jul 15, 2009 12:10 AM EDT reply actions

I’m not being a smart ass but where did you hear that? The helping the young pitchers part.

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on Jul 15, 2009 6:23 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

So...

Joe Blanton’s not our second starter anymore?

by Skatz Fan Off on Jul 15, 2009 2:37 AM EDT reply actions

Why does it matter?

Don't frack with me or you'll get a punch in the kidneys...you've been warned

by jemagee on Jul 15, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think the number in the rotation is really significant anymore. When he comes up, Pedro will start when that Bastardo/Lopez/ect spot comes around.

Bleeding Green Nation - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jul 15, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions

We’ll see. I support the pick-up, but the reasons why it’s a good move are its low cost and low commitment. Jumping to conclusions runs counter to the best aspects of the move. I don’t think it’s impossible that Rodrigo Lopez 2009 is better than Pedro Martinez 2009, not to mention Jamie Moyer 2009.

by taco pal on Jul 15, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

ha - to all of your humurous comments so far

i like the move, i originally thought that if the phightins got p-mart, they would automatically deal happ/prospects for doc halladay… (i’m still hoping that…)
but even if we don’t get halladay, this is still an upward move, or at worst, a lateral one. although the avg age of our team has got to be like, 38 or 39 now lol

by PHIGHTINPHILS on Jul 15, 2009 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

Unbelievably great move. If you don’t like this move, it’s not based on baseball analysis, it is based on some irrational hatred of Pedro. In his prime, Pedro was the best ever. He isn’t in his prome, but we don’t NEED the best ever either.

I think Pedro has something to prove and I think this will end up being a very good signing for the Phillies. I wish it happened a month ago.

For Who? My teammates.

For What? To Win.

How Much? Where do I sign?

by jonk on Jul 15, 2009 10:00 AM EDT reply actions

Ditto.

I am seeing absolutely no possible downside here. It is a low-risk shot to catch lightning in a bottle. If it blows up, so what? The money is chump change. Pedro’s got huge motivation. The Phillies have been ground zero for the notion that the right kind of pitcher can be effective into early senility, and PM pitched ok in the WBC.

I think the team could live with 5 effective innings per start out of the 5 hole in the rotation. He’s not going to be Cy Young, but who has Cy Young in the 5 spot?

The question is not so much “why?” as “why not?”

Something I’ve mentioned before is that this signing may give the Blue Jays (or someone else – there are other non-Halladay pitchers out there, despite everyone having vapors over Halladay) reason to think “whoa…the Phillies may actually try to do without…if we want some of those cheap prospects, maybe we need to be more reasonable.” If this gives the team a credible negotiating position that pitching is less of an urgent need and it saves a mid-level prospect from being traded, it’s worth it.

I agree – should have been done a month ago. OTOH, a month ago, Conlin thought Bastardo was the second coming of Christ. Perhaps others were equally delusional. Whatever.

I, for one, welcome our new Pedro overlord.

Remember the Phitans

by RememberthePhitans on Jul 15, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Amen.

by FuquaManuel on Jul 15, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Why am I not excited?

For the money and upside, it looks like a good deal. But the issue I have is Pedro hasn’t done anything since 2005. I like the move; just not getting my hopes up.

"Red, it took me sixteen years to get here. You play me, and I'll give ya the best I got."

by Touchdown on Jul 15, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions

One thing to keep in mind, also, is that even if Pedro doesnt work out superbly as the 5th starter, he may still be able to help with a few relief innings. That is kind of what Smoltz and some of the other older starters have done, with moderate success.

by Whack8888 on Jul 15, 2009 1:43 PM EDT reply actions