RKMBs Forums .::Robegories::. Sports and Wrestling Mets guarantee Pedro $38M

And we ain't talking Pedro Astacio! Here's the story from ESPN:

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ESPN.com news services

After reportedly having dinner with right-hander Pedro Martinez last Thursday, Mets general manager Omar Minaya has made an offer that tops the one the Red Sox submitted.

The Red Sox reportedly have offered Martinez a two-year, $25.5 million contract with a vesting option for 2007 that would kick in if the right-hander remains healthy. The Mets countered late Sunday with a three-year guaranteed contract worth approximately $38 million with a vesting option for a fourth year that could make package worth $50 million.

Perhaps waiting on an offer from the Yankees, the free-agent ace isn't close to making a decision on where to sign, a person close to Martinez said Tuesday on condition of anonymity.

The Red Sox must decide by Dec. 7 whether to offer salary arbitration, which would extend the window for the World Series champion Red Sox to re-sign Martinez until Jan. 8.

Martinez's agent, Fernando Cuza, would not comment on the Mets' proposal, which was first reported Tuesday in several New York and Boston newspapers. New Mets general manager Omar Minaya declined comment.

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner met with Martinez in Tampa, Fla., on Nov. 18, and Martinez also met in Florida with New York third baseman Alex Rodriguez.

But the Yankees' primary interest in recent days appears to be Randy Johnson, the 41-year-old left-hander who would prefer to leave the rebuilding Diamondbacks and play for a contender. The Yankees and Diamondbacks have been discussing a trade involving the five-time Cy Young Award winner for several weeks, but talks haven't gained any momentum, several baseball officials said.

Steinbrenner met in Tampa with top aides Mark Newman and Billy Connors on Tuesday.

Boston, coming off its first World Series title since 1918, has not publicly discussed its offer to retain Martinez, who teamed with Curt Schilling to give the Red Sox a powerful starting rotation.

A 33-year-old right-hander who has won three Cy Young Awards, Martinez's ERA rose from 2.22 to 3.90 last season, the highest of his career. He went 16-9 in 33 starts, his most losses since 1996.

He has excelled at Shea Stadium, going 5-1 with a 1.17 ERA in five starts and two relief appearances, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

The six-time All-Star went 117-37 with a 2.52 ERA for the Red Sox over the past seven seasons, and has a 182-76 record and 2.71 ERA in a 13-year major league career that also included stints with Los Angeles and Montreal.

Under the Mets' plan, the option year would become guaranteed if Martinez reached performance levels, similar to Tom Glavine's deal with New York. Glavine's contract calls for the 2006 option to be guaranteed if he pitches 200 innings next season or 560 over 2003-05. He has 395 2/3 innings in his first two seasons.

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I don't think the BoSox will repeat. I think a lot of teams are going to fleece them since majority of the team are free agents. The question is, where will they go? Nice to see the Mets being proactive in this.

And you're basing this on the Mets offering Pedro that contract? If Pedro takes this offer, good for him. But this year's free agent market offers plenty of alternatives. The Red Sox offered Pedro a fair deal but refuse to get into a bidding war, instead opting to make a run at other free agents such as Pavano and Radke, to name a few.

The key to the Sox's 2005 season is Jason Varitek, whom I absolutely want to see back in Boston for the forseeable future, But Boras is sticking to his ridiculous demand of 5 years, $55 million, and a blanket no-trade clause. The Sox have offered 4 years, $36 million and he becomes a 10/5 man after 2005. Another fair offer, though Epstein could (and should) offer $40 million for the 4 years.

Let's be honest: Boston isn't in nearly in bad shape...yet. They need two pitchers, which I think they'll get. They need Varitek back. They need a shortshop for a year or two (they have two solid options in the minors - Hanley Ramirez and Dustin Pedroia), so they won't offer a free agent more years than that (and this is definitely a buyer's market for that position). And they'll want to replenish their bullpen. Between the current free agent pool, arbitration offers, and non-tenders, they'll be able to find players. They're the World Series Champions, and that'll help get players as well.

I like Pedro, but I'm prepared to see him go. But it'll be because of money, not disrespect.

I'm not basing my conclusion on Pedro's offer at all, but on the fact that the Sox have SO many free agents and obviously have a budget to keep. Every team out there will want a piece of the pie, thinking that this player was a component of a World Series team and will think that said player will lead their own team to success. If a team is out there willing to give, say, Orlando Carbera $8 million a season I don't see the Sox matching that. And that's what I think they'll run into. Teams overpaying for fringe Sox players or good Sox players.

I question if the Sox can keep Varitek. I hope they can for their sake, but considering what Boras did for Ivan Rodriguez last year I wouldn't hold my breath.

I think Varitek will re-sign. He knows how much he means to this team and to the city. They'll compromise on four years, $40 million.

As much as I like Cabrera, I don't see him or Edgar Renteria being signed by Boston. They think Hanley Ramirez will be ready to take over the position in 2006, so they're looking for a stop-gap at shortstop. I'm thinking they'll re-sign Pokey Reese to play short. Naybe use Barry Larkin as a utility player as well.

Bellhorn isn't a free agent, but I know that Jeff Kent has some interest in Boston. Interesting situation there - keep one of the heroes of the 2004 season (along with his strikeouts and defensive gaffes) or sign a proven offensive force who may be a pain in the ass...

Lowe is gone. Sad that the Red Sox offered him three years, and between $24 and $27 million, at the beginning of the season and he turned it down. I don't see him getting that much from other teams. Maybe Detroit will overpay, just to get him "home".

Again, I hope you're right about Jason. I watched him play for the Mariner's farm system as well as Derek Lowe. But Scott Boras is an amazing agent. I swear it's like his clients work for him instead of the other way around. Everyone was sure IRod would resign with the Marlins until Boras brought the Tigers in. Why would Ivan sign with the worst team in the league? With Boras anything is possible.

There is a chance that Lowe might return to the Mariners. Rumor has it his agent has been in Seattle the past week.