Return of Pedro?!?!

[Frayed Knot]

Marty Noble writes:

A report out of the Dominican Republic on Wednesday says Mets general manager Omar Minaya has expressed interest in re-signing Pedro Martinez. The report by The Associated Press cites no source and seems to represent a complete change of heart by the Mets, who had indicated repeatedly re-signing Martinez was unlikely.

It then goes onto say that they have met with him although no offer has been made, nor has Pedro received offers from any other club.




"It seems to me that "reports out of the Dominican Republic" have been notoriously inaccurate over the years. That this originated from the AP gives it some credibility I suppose but who knows where they got it from.

I wouldn't be totally adverse to the idea with two conditions:
1) That this is in addition to, not instead of, signing a "real" mid-rotation guy like Sheets or Perez
2) That the team is willing to cut or sit him down if things don't work without fear of bruising his ego or deferring to his "veteran status"

[Guest Edgy DC]

I don't think this "represent(s) a complete change of heart." Reports I've followed through the winter indicated that this was always a possibility.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

Think it's a ploy to get Ollie to accept a contract, or at least speed things up?

[Frayed Knot]

Adam Rubin's blog describes the Pedro meeting as more like a courtesy call than like talks which may lead to a contract offer.
Seems that Omar and several of his lieutenants are in the DR looking at kiddies to potentially sign and stopped by to pay their respects.
He doesn't think it's a sign that it'll lead to anything even though several outlets reported yesterday that Omar indicated interest.

[Frayed Knot]

Mark Hale in the NYPost reports that if Pedro doesn't have a team by spring training he plans to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic and use that as an audition, hoping that will reveal what he can still offer a major league team in 2009.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

It will go down in history as the first time Pedro is motivated for an exhibition.

Just kidding.

A little.