It appears that Pedro Martinez won't be making a trip back to Big Apple after all.
After numerous reports that the Mets were interested in the veteran, who pitched for the team from 2005-2008, Anthony DiComo of MLBlogs is reporting that Mets officials have denied having any interest in resigning Martinez.
"There's no truth to it," a source close to the Mets said. "There are no discussions going on."
Martinez, a three-time Cy Young winner, won 15 games in his first season with the Mets in 2005, but saw limited success in his final three years with the Club. He made just five starts in 2007, and won only five games in 20 starts in 2008, accumulating an ERA of 5.61.
He's apparently asking for a contract that exceeds what Brad Penny got from St. Louis, which was $7.5 million for one year. Martinez has also said that he wants to pitch for a full season in 2010.
After pitching in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, Martinez was unemployed for nearly half of the baseball season until signing a one year, $1.5 million contract with the Phillies. He made nine starts, accumulating a 5-1 record and a 3.63 ERA.
No other teams have shown interest in the 38-year-old veteran so far this offseason.
Martinez could provide some productivity in the back end of a rotation if he can sustain the effectiveness he showed in Philadelphia. If anything, his arm is still valuable enough to be used out of the bullpen, whether its middle or long relief.
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