Any Pedro Martinez Fans?

by SSathletics on Jan 10, 2009 11:33 PM PST Comment 40 comments

The Marlin's have been talking to Martinez about potentially coming to Florida to anchor their young pitching staff. It got me thinking that while the Marlin's are a low budget team, much like ourselves, we should take a shot at Pedro. We could probably pull him in with a better deal since we would have more spending money then Florida so we could just simply outbid them.

But the question about his health problem will surface like it always does. But really, we have been talking about Sheets this whole time and he has problems as well. Why not take the shot with Pedro and maybe save a little bit of money and get a proven veteran who can "Anchor" the staff along with Duke?

I haven't researched it that much so I can't really push this issue to far but it would seem like a sturdy pick-up after missing out on Randy Johnson.

My second choice would be Mulder, if he is healthy, to join the rotation. But maybe if the price was right we could afford both of them?

Duke

Martinez

Mulder

Gallagher

Eveland/Gio/Outman/Braden/etc.

That looks like a rotation that can get us back to the promised land, or somewhere besides third place at least.

Though doing something like that could result in the actuality of Crosby being our SS for the year. I don't think I would mind him batting in the bottom of the line-up while the big bats create the offense and what not.

Well just let me know what you think, or even if this could possibly happen.

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I don't think Pedro will be happening

Regardless if the A’s want him or not…

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/7-mil-no-good-for-pedro

by chri5 on Jan 10, 2009 11:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Im sick of the health blanket statements

In terms of injury likelihood, Duke does not equal Pedro does not equal Sheets does not equal Harden.

Chri5’s link also highlights that Pedro is an arrogant prick that still thinks the peak matters more than the valley.

Nonetheless, if the A’s had the budget, buying low on guys like Pedro is always smart, look at the Red Sox track record.

Also, I think I remember reading that Pedro velocity is way way down. Even with those crazy hands of his, 84-87 is just too slow when you factor in that his control ain’t what it used to be either.

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by ChadGod on Jan 10, 2009 11:52 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah if i can get a go cart up to speeds faster than your fastball

I would think that the A’s would pass on your pitching services.

by A'sfaninNC on Jan 12, 2009 9:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think Pedro is worth it at all.

facepalm.jpg

by Zonis on Jan 11, 2009 12:02 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Figured.

But the Velocity is not as important as the control. Pedro still has enough of the to get out major league hitters routinely. But the Prick part I can recall, he does bring a little bit of baggage.

Steve Sage

by SSathletics on Jan 11, 2009 12:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think a lot of people: AN members, scouts, hitters would disagree that he can "get ouy major league hitters routinely"

by thejd44 on Jan 11, 2009 10:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No

The guy’s in rapid decline.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Jan 11, 2009 12:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

As a Mets fan, I am pretty pessimistic about Pedro’s ability to pitch, or even his ability to keep himself in the US for even 2 weeks straight.

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Jan 11, 2009 6:06 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I say NO

This guy was great when he could compliment the off speed stuff with a 91-91 mph fastball (I remember one A’s Bosox game where he was hitting 94 on the gun with the fastball and painting the corner with a 72 mph curve), but without that fastball I think he’s a goner.

by Brian in 317 on Jan 11, 2009 8:35 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

One of the all time greats...

but not any more.

Would not like the Pedro signing. Rapidly declining… injury risk.. no thanks.

WOULD like a Sheets signing, however.

by BillMoresi on Jan 11, 2009 9:56 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Exactly how I feel

Pedro was an incredible pitcher, but that pitcher is no longer inhabiting the body who is seeking a contract. Sheets is still great when he pitches, and if his medical records are promising he’s worth giving four times as much money to than the current edition of Pedro.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jan 11, 2009 10:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sheets for $10M or Pedro for $1M?

I say both! Anyway the Marlins look like they have the inside track on Pedro and the Rangers on Sheets.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Jan 11, 2009 8:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Pedro's not signing anywhere for $1M.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Jan 11, 2009 8:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He might with massive incentives -- like $15M or something.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Jan 11, 2009 8:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sure, but it won't really be a $1M deal...

…because anyone with a contract that’s that loaded with incentives is probably going to hit most of them easily as long as he stays healthy, whether he’s really all that good or not.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Jan 11, 2009 8:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm finding it hard to imagine Pedro pitching a lot of innings without being good.

I realize Maddux sort of did it, but he was just old, not hurt.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Jan 11, 2009 9:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The guy is washed up beyond washed up

by Trainman on Jan 11, 2009 10:53 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

But....

If really cheap – I would Billy would take a look at him. The guy isn’t the pitcher he used to be, but he changes speeds, keeps the ball down and could pitch is a great pitchers park in oakland. It would also allow us some breathing room say Braden sucks, Outman or Gio are not ready….

by ryanmoser on Jan 11, 2009 2:19 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

The chances of him coming really cheap are probably about as good as...

…Jack Cust becoming a singles hitter and a stolen base threat.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Jan 11, 2009 2:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

$1M with $15M in incentives? I'd do it.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Jan 11, 2009 8:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

His goose is cooked

Done, done, done. His shoulder is a gooey mess at this point.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jan 11, 2009 2:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Actually sounds pretty delicious

Not sure I want it on the mound every 5th day, but for the clubhouse spread? Bring it ON!

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jan 11, 2009 2:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Dana Eveland eats Pedro, tonight's news at 9!

by thejd44 on Jan 11, 2009 6:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So now Eveland is our #3 AND our #4 starter?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jan 11, 2009 6:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Soon to be #2 starter....

by oblique on Jan 11, 2009 8:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Pedro, that is...

by oblique on Jan 11, 2009 8:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

His shoulder is fine

It’s everything else that is bothering him. Hip, calf, toe. Pedro basically never pitched healthy last year, which is what killed him.

He’s still a talented pitcher worthy of a contract. He’d be exactly the kind of guy the Red Sox would have signed if there wasn’t so much baggage there (not negative baggage mind you but the baggage that comes from the franchise’s greatest ever pitcher coming back as an insurance rotation guy).

If he basically could stay healthy I’d guarantee a 3.50 ERA. He’s still got the best changeup in the major leagues, a good curveball and oodles of smarts. What made Pedro Pedro was that he had the mind of a junkballer combined with the stuff of a front line starter. The guy no-hit the best offense of the past 25 years with a 90 mph fastball, so it’s a little fatuous to claim he can’t win without his best fastball.

by Bitter Fan on Jan 11, 2009 3:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

"the franchise's greatest ever pitcher"

Yeah, I can see some problems with him coming back.

My medium is dying - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNI2Chjzr1M

by JLaff on Jan 11, 2009 4:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Heh, yeah

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Jan 11, 2009 4:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

C'mon - that guy never even won the Pedro Martinez award

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jan 11, 2009 5:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I still think of Cy as a Spider.

Now Roger Clemens….

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Jan 11, 2009 8:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Aren't the Spiders kind of irreversibly tarred with that "worst team in baseball history" brush?

I know it’s guilt by association, but…

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jan 11, 2009 9:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, but they were good before that year. They had 7 straight winning seasons

before the famous 20-134 debacle of 1899. Young wasn’t on that team.

Cy won 241 of his 511 games with the Spiders between 1890 and 1898, including 3 30+ win seasons.

He teamed with other all-time greats, Cupid Childs, George Davis, and the politically incorrectly named Nig Cuppy, with cameo appearances by a young George Davis and an old John Clarkson.

Cleveland did have a viable National League team before the arrival of the Blues…er Bronchos….er Naps….Indians in 1901.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Jan 12, 2009 1:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oops the first George Davis should be Jesse Burkett

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Jan 12, 2009 1:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Pedro pate'?

by mrod on Jan 11, 2009 2:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I guess this is kinda random, but

this was the last game I went to in 2008 (Sept 25):

As you can guess, I wasn’t there to see Pedro.

A's Strategy 2009: "Whoever is not hurt plays" - Syphon, 11/10/08

by schmifty on Jan 11, 2009 7:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

The best pitcher I have ever seen.

Before the injuries really took hold, anyway. Pedro Martinez could not only command several different pitches, he could invent new ones when he needed them. I had the privilege of watching him strike out 15 Athletics from behind home plate in Oakland once. it was like watching Tim Wakefield throw his knuckleball 95 miles an hour, and rarely miss the strike zone with it.

All that said, I don’t know if he has anything left in the tank. He doesn’t need much of a fastball to be effective, though. If it was cheap, I’d most certainly bring him to Oakland. Not to the exclusion of other options, of course, but I certainly wouldn’t dismiss him out of hand.

"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico

by jeepers on Jan 11, 2009 10:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs