If Chien-Ming Wang remains a question mark for the Yankees much longer, when do we open discussions on potentially acquiring another arm for the rotation?
Should the Yankees consider signing their old, arch-rival, free-agent pitcher Pedro Martinez?
Yes, I said it.
And I’ll explain why I’m throwing it out there. Skipped for this weekend’s series at Fenway Park, Wang instead pitched seven innings in an extended spring game on Thursday in Tampa, Fla. The righty allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits, walking none and striking out 11 against a team of Philadelphia Phillies farmhands. Wang threw 70 of 91 pitches for strikes in the outing.
Has Wang turned a corner? Or has that foot injury that kept him out most of last season affected his mechanics so much that he’ll never be the same pitcher ever again?
Let’s hope not. The Yankees need Wang if they’re going to make a serious run at World Series title No. 27. I know they have CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlain, but the bottom line is: You can never have enough pitching?
That’s why it’s not insane to consider signing Martinez, who at 37 is far from his glory days when he pitched in Boston, but who’s still good enough to command a starting spot in the rotation – even if it’s at the backend of a playoff contender.
Martinez will resume throwing from the mound in the Dominican Republic, according to Fox Sports. The right-hander, who the Mets elected not to resign this winter, has mostly been playing toss as he contemplated his major league future, but it appears that he wants to return.
The Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have both admitted interest in Martinez. Martinez went 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA in 20 starts for the Mets last season and pitched six scoreless innings for the Dominican club at the World Baseball Classic.
He is reportedly asking for a one-year, $5 million deal, but that just doesn't make sense for most teams at this point. The Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers could also be major players for Martinez if the price drops.
The Yankees haven’t really been mentioned much when it comes to Pedro. But you’d have to think they’d consider it, especially if they struggle this weekend in Boston.
Money is no option for the Yankees. They’d probably give Martinez his $5 mill. The bigger question would be whether the clubhouse could stand adding Martinez to the fold. In Joe Torre’s new book, The Yankee Years, he mentions how many players came to him before Martinez signed with the Mets saying how much the clubhouse was against Martinez joining the Yankees.
It’ll be hard for any Yankee left over from that 2003 American League Championship Series to forgive Martinez for throwing then 72-year-old bench coach Don Zimmer to the ground during a bench clearing brawl. Martinez and Jorge Posada traded barbs, which incited the incident after Martinez threw at Karim Garcia.
So, could the Yankees put their hard feelings aside for Pedro? Hey, I think they could. The Yankees had no love for Roger Clemens before he joined the Bombers. It worked out pretty well there. And Clemens was a notorious head hunter.
Plus, there aren’t many holdovers from that 2003 club. Is Pedro still the same pitcher? Or course not. Could he throw a solid five innings and from time-to-time have a vintage performance? I really do think so.
I’m not saying I like Pedro, but I understand how good he can be. I was there that night in September, 1999 when he one-hit the Yankees, striking out 17 in a near perfect game performance. If he’s a third as good these days, he’s better than half the guys the Yankees would consider as a replacement for Wang.
He’ll make a solid addition for any club midseason. I think in the long run, Martinez will sign with LA, the team he debuted for in 1992.
Still, it’s food for thought in the Bronx.
As for the Yankees, if Wang remains with the big league club, his next turn in the rotation could come Tuesday at Detroit. If Wang stays in Florida, the Yankees could elect to bring up Phil Hughes, who’s pitching well at Triple A.
Pedro? Really?
ReplyDeleteI have two names for you.
Phil Hughes
Ian Kennedy
Looks like throwing while injured in the major leagues can blind everyone form the potential that these two prospects have. I remember you telling me a few years back that you thought kennedy would be the best of the three. Somewhere deep down i know you still believe in these guys.
First, I'd like to thank the great Tim Lampron, the best athletic trainer in the biz, for this post. He's not only a friend, but a very knowledgeable Yankee fan -- and a darn good writer, too.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, I did make the bold statement two years ago that Ian Kennedy would be better than Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain -- at least early on. I believed he was the most polished pitcher of the three, and because have a plus, plus fastball, he needed to be smarter than both Hughes and Joba. He seemed more crafty, reminding me of a young Mike Mussina. I still believe in Hughes and Kennedy, but I'm not sure if the Yankees do. I'm going to be heading out to Triple-A Scranton for a mini trip later this summer. Let's just say, I hope Kennedy and Hughes in town when I am. Excellent points Mr. Lampron.
By way, you could never have enough pitching. Why not ink Pedro. We can get him cheap. And I'm sure he'd love nothing more than to pitch against his former club, Boston.