Pedro Martinez signs with the Philadelphia Phillies

The Mets decided not to bring back Pedro Martinez this offseason because they wanted more youth and durability in their rotation. They decided to go after Tim Redding instead for the 5th starter's role, and let's just say that has not panned out too well. When Redding got hurt, Livan Hernandez made the team and pitched pretty well until a recent string of poor starts.

Either way, the Mets picked their guys, but Pedro did not pick his team until he officially signed a one year, one million dollar deal with the Phillies this afternoon. He pitched well for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, and his fastball was clocked as high as 92 mph, but he was consistently throwing in the high 80's to low 90's. He says he's finally healthy and feels good after three injury plagued season in a row with the Mets. The Dodgers had some interest in him at the beginning of the year, but passed because of Pedro's asking price of $5 million. Pedro was put on the 15 day dl with a strained shoulder, and will aim to make his Philly debut in 2-3 weeks.

Pedro was introduced by the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, and here is what he had to say about his move down the Turnpike to the City of Brotherly Love.

On the Met's interest or lack-their of in re-signing him:
"I was hoping the Mets would make a move and they didn't, so I decided to wait. It wasn't my decision to not be in New York. It was someone else's. I knew that one of the teams would need pitching at this time, so I waited. I actually was able to jump into first place without throwing a ball. I'm really glad I'm here. The Mets are gonna go their way. I'm gonna go with Philly in my way. I just have to continue on, no grudges."

On his time with the Mets:
"I have a lot of respect for the Mets organization. I have nothing to say but God bless them, wish them well, I hope they all get healthy and come back and compete."

About the Mets-Phillies rivalry, and if he will have extra motivation to beat the Mets:"I would love to tell you that but I can't hide love, and I have love for those people. I can't do anything with the hate you have for the Mets fans. That's between you guys."

TAKE:

Pedro was a class act with the Mets, and he gave the organization everything he had, on and off the field. He had an incredible year in '05, and would have won 20 games with better run support. He started where he left off in 2006 by winning his first five starts, and was outstanding the first two months of the season.

Things fell apart after he was injured in his return to Boston in June 2006, and he had trouble staying on the field with shoulder and leg injuries. He was a great influence over younger pitchers like Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez, and he also helped lure in free agents. The only regrets Mets fans can have about the Pedro signing are that he didn't pitch in the postseason, and he was injured during the last three years of his contract. The Mets would have probably won the World Series in 2006 if he was healthy, considering Maine and Perez had to each pitch twice in the NLCS.

Pedro went to the Phillies for two reasons: win a World Series, and because they showed significant interest in him, needing another starter. He did not sign to stick it to the Mets. Like he said, he has nothing but the utmost respect for the Mets organization, and they parted amicably this offseason. He wants a chance to win a National League Pennant and another World Series. When he left Boston after 2004, there was clearly bad blood. There is absolutely no bad blood between Pedro and the Mets. I still believe he can pitch well if he can throw his fastball in the high 80's to low 90's, and mix in his nasty changeup. It will definitely be weird seeing him in Phillies' red after four years in Mets orange and blue, and it will be even weirder for him when he walks into the visitors clubhouse after four years in Flushing.

(Photo couresy of the Associated Press/Matt Rourke)