Breaking news: Phillies sign Pedro Martinez

The deal is reportedly for one year at $1 million, plus $1.5 million in incentives. A news conference is set for tomorrow. (source: Zolecki)

Comments

[CJ]

I like it!

Cheaper than I think anyone possibly imagined.

[NEPP]

Good deal. Pretty much a no-lose scenario for Rube (who once again shows his strength as a Negotiator)

[NEPP]

1st pitch Raul?!?

[bullit]

i hope that negotiating strength can keep taylor and drabek in phillies red.

[G-Town Dave]

Bah. I still hate it. I have a strong feeling that Pedro is done, & this deal will cost the Phillies much-needed wins. Oh, well. *shrug*

And last night's ESPN show + tonight's Fox nonsense has me thinking: Honestly, how bad is the state of sports broadcasting? I feel like it gets worse every year ... noticeably worse.

[RK]

As Dylan said: Forever young

[NEPP]

And that's part of why Utley is the best 2B in the game.

[joe l]

Maybe they could have an all star vote for the booth? Or rotate the top handful in during the game? Anything to save us from Joe Buck hell.

[G-Town Dave]

Chase Utley is full of win. :-)

[NEPP]

I would take McCarthy and Wheels over this.

[G-Town Dave]

NEPP: I have muted the TV & reached for my radio more than once, only to realize there is no Phils broadcasting option to turn to.

[Zach Morris]

RK: I think you mean Will.I.Am.

[doubleh]

Wow, never saw this coming.
/sarcasm

[NEPP]

Shouldn't we start warming up KROD repeatedly at this point? Perhaps 8-10 times?

[Spitz]

So assuming the NL wins this game, what sort of ovation do you think Pedro will get when he starts game 4 of the WS in Fenway?

[NEPP]

D-Cell battery applause?

[Jefferson]

Something is wrong with Raul. He is not the same player he was in the 1st half.

[NEPP]

Is it possible to find people that can actually sing? This is brutal again.

[CJ]

Jefferson: "Something is wrong with Raul. He is not the same player he was in the 1st half."

I'm going to assume that was satire. And, if so, it's pretty funny. Well played.

[thephaithful]

1 million, cant complain about that.

Any have notes on the incentives? If its based on Ws, then I hope he earns every penny.

[Matt]

Is it me or is this game flying by?

[Doohickey]

What on earth are you talking about, Jefferson? He's been back from the DL for what - 2 games?

[NEPP]

It would have been a HR...or off the fence...or maybe a HR...or off the fence.

Great analysis.

[NEPP]

At least Werth is showing his fellow AS how to take pitches here.

[Spitz]

Did Buck just say that the Angels had a "fun start" to the season? Yikes!

[fletch]

Jayson Werth's mom was an olympic skater? Now they're just making stuff up. (Last I heard the closest she got was an olympic hopeful. And it was track and field.)

[NEPP]

I heard she was a 3 time gold medalist

Young pitcher tragically killed in a senseless accident apparently equals "fun".

[fletch]

Wikipedia seems to agree with me, but that's only guaranteed to be slightly more accurate than the fox broadcast team. While I was checking up there I also learned that Werth is Ducky Schofield's grandson, and Dick Schofield's nephew. Pretty sure fox said Dick was his grandfather. 0 for 2 on Werth trivia..

[NEPP]

Kinda feels like the AL is destined to win this one...sad. Its not that their tip talent seems any better but their reserves seem to play better than the NL.

[Matt]

well, i guess the AL is going to win again. thank god this game has no implications in the regular season.

[NEPP]

Jayson Werth's mom is hot...that is all.

[Zach Morris]

Upton looked MAD at Jdubs

[MG]

Supposedly for a game "that counts" and a tie score late it just seems so flat even after the Granderson triple.

Even that last play had Upton going to less than full speed and Werth failing to hit the cutoff man.

[Jack]

Love Charlie playing to win here.

[G-Town Dave]

Zach: Why should he be mad at Werth? Upton's the one who misplayed the ball.

[NEPP]

Well, the Phillies have never lost a World Series that has had its home field decided by an All-Star game...so its not all bad.

[Zach Morris]

Both of these guys have been on my fantasy team since draft! I'm the greatest!!!

[gobaystars]

it has always amused me when people judge a move based on what they pay the guy. if pedro signs for 1 mill and he does a poor job its just as bad as 5 mill and a poor job. dont bring in opportunity cost because there is no other player this money would be spent on had he not been acquired. dont bring up halladay because the issue with him is what they give in a trade not his salary. if durbin blows a game does it count as less of a loss because he is paid less than lidge? for the phills its about production per roster spot not per dollar.

[NEPP]

I thought I saw UC mouth the words "Get Bruntlett Up" when they showed a dugout shot. I guess its hardwired.

[MG]

I never thought I would see a Red Sox with a more disgusting batting helmet than Trot Nixon but Youk has managed to surpass him. Just look at batting helmet when they pan over to him next.

[Zach Morris]

G-Town: I wasn't commenting on the play. I was commenting on Upton's reaction to it.

[G-Town Dave]

Zach: I know. I just thought Upton looked more upset w/ himself than anything else.

[Zach Morris]

Or, whether or not he should have been, he was.

[Zach Morris]

fair enough.

[MG]

C'mon Bell. Get out of the inning here.

[joe l]

Was looking forward to watching someone catch Wake.

[GBrettfan]

I don't think I like an intentional walk in an ASG. Plus, all the hitters are good - and Adam Jones didn't exactly hit into a DP.

[CJ]

gobaystars: You're rant sounds good, in theory, but it's just not true.

There are finite financial resources for teams. So every move must be measured against its cost. It's inevitable. The less you spend on a player, the less risky the move becomes.

[Jack]

Howard here or in the 9th?

[bay_area_phan]

As a general rule, I'm not a big fan of building your team around older players. But I don't really know how anyone could "hate" this deal, unless that person actually attended Pedro's throwing sessions & came away unimpressed.

That he agreed to sign this type of cheap, incentive-laden deal is definitely a point in the deal's favor. With money comes commitment. If the Phillies had forked out the rumored $4M for Pedro, you can be sure that they would have been mighty reluctant to axe him from the rotation if it became quickly apparent that he wasn't going to work out. At $1M per year, that's not much of a concern. This is a good thing because, while I like the signing, it definitely comes with a high bust potential.

[G-Town Dave]

"I don't think I like an intentional walk in an ASG."

GBrettfan: But ... but this one COUNTS!!! :-o

[Jack]

Gobaystars: If Adam Eaton were getting paid 1 million a year instead of 8 million, do you think he would have lasted as long in the rotation as he did?

[MG]

Jack - I was wondering the same. Would be nice for a Howard bomb here to tie it up.

[Spitz]

Wakefield is a knuckleballer, and he can't pitch today? He should be able to pitch every day. He's got a 4.31 ERA - why is he even on the roster?

[Zach Morris]

Nothing to fear but fear itself. Good signing.

[CJ]

Spitz: Maddon said he's specifically holding Wakefield for extra innings since he can pitch multiple innings with no real risk to the arm.

[MG]

Nathan is arguably the most underrated player in baseball. He has dominated as a closer but you don't hear much about him since he plays on a fairly low-profile Twins team since they move Santana.

[Jack]

This is the quickest all-star game ever. So many warning track shots. I miss steroids.

[kart racer]

any lhp left for the AL to come in when Howard comes up sometime?

[GBrettfan]

"this one counts!"

And that's another thing. I know you were being facetious there, g-town, but seriously, I think home field advantage in the WS should be decided by best record. Or at least not by the ASG.

[bullit]

i think cholly is saving howard for a "natural" moment.

[Klaus]

Our NL compatriots seem to be purposefully trying to undermine our postseason chances.

[MG]

Is Buck going to thank the Hot Dog vendors too?

[CJ]

Howard on deck.

[CJ]

Come on Ryan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NEPP]

Here come Ryno...no pressure in front of the hometown.

[MG]

First real drama all night. C'mon Big Man.

[NCPhilly]

Ryno's All Star moment!

[G-Town Dave]

GBrettfan: I agree, but it doesn't bother me too much. I think I'd probably be more upset about it if home field seemed to make any actual difference in the World Series. If you ask me, too much is made of the AL winning the All-Star Game every year. Doesn't really prove anything.

[kart racer]

Here's Howard

[Bob]

Not sure why I care but I would really like to see the NL pull this one out. Uh-oh here's some drama!

[NEPP]

The shift should be illegal.

[CJ]

Because of the 2-3-2 set up for home field in the World Series. There have been more home games played in NL parks in the last 6 years than in AL parks despite the AL having home field each year.

[MG]

You can't be looking a HR here Big Man. Nathan will make you look foolish.

[NEPP]

I'd prefer the middle 3 to home field personally.

[NEPP]

Well that sucked.

[kart racer]

Can't handle the breaking ball.

[Matt]

Wait, Howard struck out? Stunning.

[bullit]

there is no joy in mudville.

[CJ]

Bah

[Klaus]

hometown zeros :(

[MG]

Normally I would love Howard's chances against a RHP reliever but not Nathan. Didn't help that Howard was swinging for the fences on the first 2 pitches and Nathan took advantage of this by throwing pitches above the belt. Just some poor situational hitting by the Big Man there.

[timr]

The St. Louis love-fest isn't really panning out. Mr. "Best Player in the Game" had an error and didn't get a hit, and Howard struck out too.

[Derek]

I saw that coming miles away. I'm never watching another MLB all-star game again.

[CJ]

Frankly, I don't like the chances of most hitters against Joe Nathan. Or Rivera in the 9th for that matter. Hell... going Papelbon, Nathan, Rivera is pretty unfair.

Nice play by Werth!

[G-Town Dave]

Good on Werth!!! :-D

[Jimbo Jones]

Haha, K-Rod cheering for Werth.

[GBrettfan]

Re: Ryan. If he had homered, Joe Maddon would have looked pretty foolish not bringing in a lefty to face Howard, or alternatively, not walking him. But I like that he had Nathan go after him. And I was afraid he'd strike out. Geez, he looked pretty week, too. That was the best chance the NL had to score, too. Other than that HR Crawford robbed.

Re: home field advantage. True, more is made of it than need be. Although I did feel like the Phillies had the advantage at home vs. the Rays last year and that had the series moved back to FL, the Phils would have lost that advantage. But even though I think using the ASG to determine WS home-field adv., yeah, I'd agree it's not something that bothers me so much that I spend much time fretting about it.

But it's also not the reason I watch the ASG. I'd watch it regardless.

Nice catch, Werth! Last chance, NL....

[Zach Morris]

As cynical as I am, I thought it was pretty cool to see K-Rod cheering Werth. The all-star game is stupid, but it's got its moments.

[GBrettfan]

Yep, the AL's relief is brutal this game. Nathan's definitely tough.

[Zach Morris]

Funny side-note: Mike Gollic, based on a pre-game bet with Obama, is now technically president for the rest of this month.

[GBrettfan]

Well, that's that. Once again, a Phillie is involved in a game-changing moment, and not successfully. There was Lidge's giving up the winning run last year, and Howard's SO that killed the 8th inning rally. It sure was quicker than last year's game! Good pitching this year.

[Replacement Player]

2 hours 31 minutes?!

...c'mon, Junior Circuit, best of three?

[bullit]

ok now i need something bacony and cheesey to banish the blues. here i come, TB.

[Art Markowitz]

A LOUSY MANAGER

You don't put up up the strikeout leader, with probably the lowest batting average of all the All Stars in the NL, in a clutch situation with men on second and third. You give your self the best odds and put up the person with the highest batting average that you have left. Manual did not give the NL team the best odds in that situation, that is one reason why he is such A POOR MANAGER.

[Rex]

Gosh we just look for the negative Philly angle. Don't we?

I'm pretty sure spotting the AL two runs had a little more to do with us losing than Rhyno striking out.

[Len39]

Looks like we'll have to win it in 5 again.

I'm not big on Pedro, but with this kind of deal it is pretty much a no lose situation except for him having a couple of crappy starts.

[vegas]

If the money rumors are correct, I love the Pedro signing.

[bay_area_phan]

Surely, one of the top 2 or 3 most asinine rules in all of professional sports is the rule that home field advantage in the WS hinges on the AS Game results. I know this doesn't exactly qualify as a profound new observation but, since the rule went into effect, this is the first time I ever thought it possible that the Phillies could actually end up in the World Series. Hence, it's the first time I have ever really given more than a passing thought to the complete stupidity of this rule.

[Unikruk]

"Looks like we'll have to win it in 5 again."

*Smiles broadly, nods head slowly*