Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
The Boston Globe is reporting that the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs seem to have the most interest in Pedro Martinez. Both teams have sent scouts down to the Dominican to see him pitch (hitting 94 mph with his fastball) and are beginning to explore just how much it might cost to sign the future HOF'er (I would hope). It's said he's looking for $5 million.
On the surface, it certainly wouldn't make much sense for the Cubs to be looking for another starting pitcher, considering that's been the strongest part of the team. But if the Cubs could sign Pedro, that could open them up to move another starting pitcher for a much needed bat...or two...or five. I would think Z and Dempster are pretty much locks to stay. Lilly would certainly draw interest from contenders but they would probably want to move prospects and that's probably not what the Cubs are looking for and Lilly does have some sort of no-trade clause. Rich Harden is a free agent at the end of the year, so he could be moved to a contender at the deadline, but you run into the same problem of that contender probably wanting to move prospects rather than established talent. So that leaves guys like Sean Marshall or Randy Wells or both and now you might be able to make some moves with teams out of the race and be left with Z, Dempster, Lilly, Harden and Pedro as your rotation. I know I could live with that starting staff.
All just a bit of fun speculating, but we need some fun after the last two days (Thanks to Wes for the link).
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#1 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
Rob, they are saying he's throwing 94. Now, of course, it matters what that 94 actually looks like as it arrives on Sotos' mitt, but I don't think it's a bad idea if he has some sauce left in the gut.
#11 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
isn't that what I said?
#2 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
can he hit?
(Don Zimmer says yep)
#3 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
I normally don't do LOLs but that is a classic.
#4 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
Can Pedro be a closer?
#13 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
Dempster could...
(ducks)
#5 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
Cubs don't need a bat. Everything will be fine.
On a more serious note. If by some chance they play October baseball, Pedro would be an invaluable big-game pitcher. I don't know what makes a guy a big game pitcher and there's no way to quantify it, but you have to admit he would be one.
#6 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
If by some chance, indeed. But, you know, baseball isn't that much different than the NBA these days. Survive till the playoffs, then kick some fucking ass.
#20 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
well maybe 5 years ago, when Pedro was still a great pitcher...but his last 270 IP he has a 4.74 ERA. Nonetheless, I assume if the Cubs are going after him they like what they saw.
#7 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
Hmmm...
It is fun speculating on this one, ROB G.
I have not looked at his last meaningful stats. Anything to speak of?
Also, which pitcher would be more valuable in a trade: the lefty Marshall - basically a 5th starter at best many would say, or, Randy Wells, an "out-of-nowhere" converted pitcher whom no-one has figured out yet?
#10 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
Pedro's stats from the past couple of years haven't been anything to write home about, but he'd been throwing 85-89 and not 93-96 like he used to.
If he's REALLY throwing 94, we're not talking Pedro of old, but we're talking about a guy who's a lot better than the 5.61 ERA and 1.57 WHIP he put up last year. 3 fewer K/9 and one more BB/9 than his career line. Obviously he's not going to pitch to his career line if he does pitch for somebody this year, but I think if they aren't lying about him throwing 94, he can be a very valuable arm for somebody.
#8 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
"converted pitcher" = converted catcher
#9 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
If I'm another team I would be more interested in Randy Wells.
#12 On an unrelated note...
are the Orlando Magic the worst team to ever make the Finals?
"How Not to Close Out an NBA Game" by the 2009 Orlando Magic on DVD everywhere
#14 Re: On an unrelated note...
You obviously missed the Magic - Cadavers series.
#15 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
What about Vernon Wells for Zambrano?
#16 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
You think Z would waive his NTC to play in Canada and not be able to hit?
#23 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
I think it's possible that he'd like to in order to get away from the media scrutiny. You've to to punch your manager there to get into trouble.
#31 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
Funny. I get the sense that Z likes talking to the media about 90% of the time, and loves being the center of attention.
#40 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
I get that sense, too. And this trade might make a ton of sense on paper, $, stats, all that. The problem is Z is the longest tenured player in the organization and he's the heart of the team. I know sometimes his antics are childish, but that's part of his charm.
#38 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
Zzzzz why do we need to trade for Vernon Wells when we have Milton Bradley?
I wouldn't trade Zambrano at all, he has been this teams most reliable arm for the last 7 years. It is extremly difficult to find starters who year in and year out can do what Zambrano does.
I would like to take a flyer on Pedro but the time to do that was in spring training when Heilman, and Marshall were battling for the last spot and Randy Wells was still a nobody. Right now the only use we have for Pedro is in the bullpen which is where i think he could help us the most. Pay him 5 million for the rest of the year and see if he can just go balls out with his pitches and not have to worry about pacing himself for 6+ innings.
#17 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
DeRosa 3/3 tonight with 2 BB's...did commit his 9th error though.
Marshall or Wells & another Iowa arm for DeRosa?
#52 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
What about three minor league pitching prospects for Derosa? I think we picked up a few good ones in trade this offseason.
#18 Mt. Lou Ready to Explode
''We just really did nothing,'' Piniella said of the finish to a 4-4 road trip that included three walkoff losses, the last two by 2-1 scores. ''Did nothing. And when we had chances, we were swinging at bad pitches out of the zone and can't make contact. Come on, this is major-league baseball.
''I know the game isn't the easiest in the world to play, because I played it for a long time. But it's not this damn hard. Come on. It's not this hard.''
Piniella's frustration and voice began rising as he started rolling.
''It's a difficult game to play because it's every day, every day. It's going to be mental. You've got to have toughness. You've got to be able to think. You've got to have ability. But at the same time, you make it too hard. You make it too hard.
''It's not that hard, come on. ... You get runners on first and third with no outs and can't get the damn ball out of the infield? Another time it's first and third, and we had a double play.''
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/16192...
#19 Re: Mt. Lou Ready to Explode
NON Dustyism. What really pissed me off about Dusty is that he just didn't seem to give a rat's ass. Lou, even though he looks like he's been nailed by a pair of pretty trains, still has the tude.
#21 Re: Mt. Lou Ready to Explode
you're going to be hard pressed to find much in the press with dustbag bashing a player or team....it's one of those things he's been vocal about not doing too much during his managerial career.
he sees himself at a f'n ninja master or something...glosses over the media crap and does his thing in kung fu mentoring sessions in the clubhouse, on the field, in the office, etc.
it's just his style...doesn't make for good reading during losing streaks, though.
#22 Re: Mt. Lou Ready to Explode
"Lou, even though he looks like he's been nailed by a pair of pretty trains, still has the tude."
____________________
"nailed by a pair of pretty trains"... what does this mean? Am I missing a really cool double entendre? I'm mystified here.
#24 Re: Mt. Lou Ready to Explode
You could tell he was just itching to get Theriot out of there when he worked that walk for a K in the...10th?
#25 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
speculate about potential bats on the deadline market...
#27 Re: Cubs Pursuing Pedro Martinez
The main problem is... where are we going to put these bats? Assuming Aramis is back, you've got $10 million dollar players at all the positions other than SS, 2B and Catcher. I guess it could be argued that The Fontenaught/Miles could be upgraded at second...
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