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Pedro In Phillies Future?

Hank Chinaski Written by Hank Chinaski, Wednesday July 08 2009
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From the Mets to the Best?

Good morning, PlayerPress, in the land of 10 runs in the first inning and losing by one the next, a plethora of emotions are evoked. It’s transparent the Philadelphia Phillies, when they want to, are the most explosive offensive team in the league. There are three potential MVP’s on this roster every year (Rollins, Howard, and Utley). And CF Shane Victorino and LF Raul Ibanez have proven their skills to be All-Star worthy. But, regardless of the offensive potential, winning a championship comes down to pitching. The Phillies had the best starter in the playoffs (Hamels) and the best closer in the regular and post season (“Lights out Lidge”) last year. As of July 8th, the Phillies are two games ahead of the Marlins in the Nation League East. But, as we all know, this division is a volatile and fluid.

 

Chaley Kerfeld, the special assistant to Phillies’ GM, Ruben Amaro Jr., observed Pedro Martinez in a simulated game, yesterday. According to Jayson Stark, the Phillies are saying that this simulated game is just the team “exploring possibilities”. This exploration took place in the Dominican Republic. Pedro faced the Phillies’ Dominican summer league team. Stark asserts the Phillies are more interested than it appears.

 

But the real question is, whether or not the Phillies would sign the former Cy Young Award Winner, Pedro. Rather… does the former MVP still have “it”. Over the last two seasons, Pedro has a 4.99 ERA over 25 starts. In 2008, his record was 5-6, with a 5.61 ERA with the Mets, with the season cut short due to a hamstring injury. Not exactly eye popping stats.

 

Although Martinez is a soon to be Hall-of-Famer, former AL-MVP, and a Cy-Young award winner, it would not be in the Phillies best interest to sign him. I think it could be a good signing if the contract was minimal, only for the remainder of the season and he would be slotted as the Phillies #4 or #5 starter (behind Hamels, Moyer, and Blanton/Happ). I’m not the type of person to say I told you so, but if the Phillies sign the geezer, do not expect much. There’s no doubt about it, Pedro could be a key contributor of knowledge for the young Philadelphia staff, but that’s what Moyer is for.

 

With players like Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Juan Cruz, Erik Bedard, and Cliff Lee, reported to be on the market, the Phillies would be much better off pursuing one of those players. If the Phillies pulled off a deal for Halladay (apparently the Jays are looking for a top SS prospect [Jason Donald]), the city might as well start celebrating now. But the jury is still out on Halladay, considering that Toronto’s GM, J.P. Ricciardi, would be expecting a lot in return for the perennial All-Star.

 

Is Pedro healthy enough to play? Is he healthy enough to dominate? At this point in their careers, is Danny Almonte a more threatening pitcher than the former MVP? Do the Phillies have a better staff with Pedro on the roster/does Martinez makes the defending World Champs better? What makes these questions so prevalent and ironic is that they can only be answer in time… A wise man once said, a blind man would be happy to see the outcome…

 


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2 comments


0 up down 0
MC HomerMC Homer, over 2 years ago said:

I hear Glavine is available too...

0 up down 0
Mets Fan 56Mets Fan 56, over 2 years ago said:

"It’s transparent the Philadelphia Phillies, when they want to, are the most explosive offensive team in the league." --- transparent doesn't work there. There is no risk in signing pedro. Getting one of the other pitchers you mentioned would require a trade. Anything Pedro gives is a bonus, he can't be any worse that Bastardo, or whatever other pitcher would fill the 5th spot.