pedro martinez...

[cooz3]

he very well could just be tinkering with some new stuff..and not throwing as hard as he is capable....or as accurate as he is capable...but he has not looked good at all this spring....

again ..please dont take this as a Pedro is done post...as he fully is capable of "play possum" so to speak..and just not wanting to show anything..

but at some point someone has to look at some of these numbers and ask whether he really is screwing around or not

cooz

 

[Dr Feelgood]

Cooz,

Good observation, but think Pedro has a great year as he doesn't need a 95 MPH fastball anymore to be successful. Contract year makes it almost guaranteed that he will go balls to wall looking for the big bucks from the Yanks next year (if the damn sox don't sign him in the next 5 days to an extension).

I think he is fine and just experimenting with some new stuff...His pitches are more about spin these days whereas 4-5 years ago it was all about the 96 MPH heater...

I do feel THIS IS THE YEAR FOR THE SOX though... :tongue

 

[gman2]

if pedro martinez had any professional pride, he would never even consider signing with the yankees, even if they offered him (hypothetically for sake of argument) arod-type money. if he signed with new york, i think it would really take the luster off an impressive career

 

[IE]

saw this article early this morning in the baltimore sun also...



Concerns for Martinez

Two major league scouts who have been following the Red Sox closely this spring said they have noticed a distinct drop in velocity for Pedro Martinez, who is scheduled to start Sunday's season opener against the Orioles at Camden Yards.

His fastball has registered 95 mph in the past, but in Thursday's start against the Minnesota Twins, Martinez was throwing 86 to 91 mph.

Even more alarming for Boston, scouts have noticed Martinez using a lower arm angle on his pitches, which has made him less effective. Often when a pitcher has a shoulder injury, he finds a different arm angle to throw with less discomfort.

Segui noticed a different arm angle from Martinez on March 14, when the three-time Cy Young Award winner allowed an uncharacteristic three walks in two innings.

So far, Martinez and the Red Sox have played down the talk about his velocity. For the spring, Martinez is 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA, spanning 13 innings.

One of the scouts who noted the difference with Martinez added: "[Derek] Lowe is throwing better than I've ever seen him throw. [Curt] Schilling, too."

The Orioles will face Schilling and Lowe, respectively, in the second and third games of the season.

 

[Jackanape]

It's still spring, and I agree...this is the time to tinker with that stuff, and hide the goods...

BUT, that said, I'll likely stay away from any Pedro action--for or against--for awhile...

 

[BigTymePlayer]

If you rewind to last season he was having the same problems. He just isnt the same dominant pitcher he was. his body is just not the same as a clemens or schilling who can keep their velocity. Schilling and Lowe will both win more games than pedro and their numbers will be better as well. Pedro is still much better than most but he is just on a steady decline.

btp

 

[Dr Feelgood]

No way Lowe's #'s are better than Pedro's. Pedro on a bad year should end up with a 2.80 ERA, 180k's, 160 Innings, 40 bb's, holding opponents to a .220 average and 14 wins...with a decent year those #'s will be better...the operative word there is SHOULD.

I have had Pedro on my Fantasy team for the past 4 years (I was lucky enough to inherit him) and have followed him closer than any othr player in baseball. He is gonna be fine. Pedroesque. Once again, this being a HUGE contract year for him will make him strive that much harder.

Schilling may have a better year in Wins, Innings and K's only cuz he will pitch more innings and deeper into games, but Pedro's year will mirror his if not beat it...That is MY bold prediction. I think the Sox take it all this year, but I've been saying that almost yearly for the last 29 years (or when I was 6)