March 27, 2003

"Pedro Martinez pitching in New York,'' he said. "I don't even want to think about that.'': Me neither Pedro, me neither. There's no word on whether or not a deal is in the works, but the deadline is Monday. Come on Theo, get something done! I couldn't stand seeing Pedro in Pinstripes.

posted by jerseygirl to baseball at 01:42 PM - 10 comments

Being a Boston Sports fan is just awful sometimes. I'm not sure if this is just because of my Bostoncentricity (just pretend it's a real word) or not, but it seems like Boston teams trade or lose more great athletes to other teams than any other city, and sooner or later, they all end up in New York.

posted by Samsonov14 at 01:59 PM on March 27, 2003

I guess there's hope for Frank Castillo then.

posted by jerseygirl at 02:14 PM on March 27, 2003

The Rocket Wade Boggs Pedro in pinstripes? Only one word comes to mind: Nooooooooooooooooooo!

posted by trox at 03:02 PM on March 27, 2003

I can't stand him, but can't say I'd mind seeing him in pinstripes :) I got used to and began pulling for Clemens, after all... I think that if Epstein doesn't get it done he'll be out the door in a year. He needs this and so does Boston. I'd have to agree about Boston letting the most get away, with the Bruins leading the way...

posted by Bernreuther at 05:59 PM on March 27, 2003

Bah. There are a total of what, 4 teams (NYY, NYM, LA and Boston) that can really afford him? Plus he's worth more to the Sox than any other team (financially in terms of increased fan interest, etc.: obviously his on-field contributions would be satisfactory for anyone). He's going nowhere and the whole thing's been blown out of proportion by who? Oh right, the Boston media. Dan Shaughnessy and Gerry Callahan, step forward and claim your prize. A kick in the face from the Red Sox Nation who, whether you accept it or not, hates you.

posted by yerfatma at 08:51 PM on March 27, 2003

You'd be surprised who can "afford" a player like Pedro. No one thought that Texas would be the one to step up and pay big bucks for ARod. Arizona shells out extreme cash for the Big Unit. Toronto is paying lotsa loonies for Delgado. If you spend your money wisely (big cash only for the big players), any team can afford a $15million player. What they can't afford is the $4million scrub. Money mismanagement is what puts most of the teams out of the running.

posted by grum@work at 09:48 PM on March 27, 2003

Excellently put, grum- it's not the $15-20m player who's worth that money that kills a team- it's the $8m player who isn't close to worth it, or the $3m bench-warmer who's no better than the league-minimum 24-year-old, that kill you. Many players who make a few million could readily and easily be replaced by a young 'un making twice the league minimum; GMs who don't realize this bloat their payrolls and can't understand why they aren't competitive with X million dollar payroll. Be cheap and young, except when it matters- and guys like Pedro matter. For what you pay him, the equivalent roster replacement at the same, or even half the price, aren't remotely gonna make up the difference. 16 games over .500 is just a few games from the playoffs; paying that same $17m for a 5 guys who all end up, on average, at .500, is what ensures a quiet October spent on vacation.

posted by hincandenza at 01:23 AM on March 28, 2003

(Yankee fan woofing to follow:) Yeah, but 16 games over .500 and the Sox still spent a quiet october on vacation... :D (OK, I just jinxed my team, but the door was wide open!)

posted by Bernreuther at 02:00 AM on March 28, 2003

I should probably point out that my comments were muddled by a bunch of Newcastle and blinding passion for the Sox. I guess a better argument would be to point out that, were Pedro to leave, a mob of Sox fans would torch Fenway and the surrounding area. The ownership would not escape alive. Sure they'd hide out in Argentina or wherever but sooner or later we'd run them all to earth. I'm so blinded I honestly believe it would physcially sicken Pedro to don pinstripes. He probably has all solid suits in his closet.

posted by yerfatma at 06:48 AM on March 28, 2003

Not a Mariners fan but think about that deep pockets but no huge star pitcher team with Martinez on the staff. The owner, who is president of Nintendo (or Sega?), would surely shell out for a World Series trophy or two.

posted by billsaysthis at 10:56 AM on March 28, 2003

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