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Martinez seemingly preparing an exit strategy; BY DAVID LENNON, Newsday
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Topic Started: Mar 5 2006, 01:08 AM (38 Views)
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Gategem
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Mar 5 2006, 01:08 AM
Post #1
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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- -- Slowly but surely, Pedro Martinez seems to be preparing an exit strategy for Opening Day, just as he did for the World Baseball Classic.
The pattern of behavior is nearly identical to the one that culminated in Martinez's withdrawal from the Dominican team Thursday because of his ailing right big toe. Before long, the Mets might have to admit it's time to replace him with Tom Glavine for that April 3 afternoon at Shea Stadium.
Martinez is showing all of the same telltale signs. The optimism might be giving way to a more practical outlook in which the club's $53-million ace waits until mid-April for his 2006 debut.
After his latest bullpen session yesterday, Martinez suggested for the first time that Opening Day could be in jeopardy.
"As of now, I'm not a question -- as of now," Martinez said. "But I still have [to pitch] batting practice. I still have a few more bullpens. I still have to play long toss. There's a lot of things that could happen in the period of time. We're going to wait and see what happens. As of now, I'm counting on pitching Opening Day. If I don't, I'll pitch on the fifth day. It will be my spot, I guarantee you that. I'll have one spot in the rotation."
The Mets already are bracing for that possibility. On Thursday, general manager Omar Minaya and COO Jeff Wilpon emphasized the big picture. The most important thing, they said, is to maximize the number of starts Martinez gets this season and not risk that by rushing him for Opening Day. Pitching coach Rick Peterson agreed.
"He's ready when he's ready," Peterson said. When asked again if Martinez will be on the mound for the Shea opener, Peterson replied, "I don't want to kill a brain cell thinking about it."
Martinez is improving, just perhaps not quickly enough to be ready for the opener. It took nearly two weeks just to get comfortable in his Nike-modified boot, which didn't arrive until Feb. 15, and he has been on his own program since.
The scene that played out before yesterday's game against the Nationals has become a familiar one. With the rest of the Mets engaged in their daily pregame routines, Martinez headed out to a minor-league field to stretch out his arm with long toss, then rode shotgun on a golf cart for the return trip to the Tradition Field bullpen.
Ailing toe and all, Martinez stood where the golf bags usually go, making siren noises as the cart weaved around reporters and screeched to a halt next to the mound. Once Martinez hopped out, he went to work quickly, starting with a few warm-up tosses before settling into a 35-pitch session under the supervision of Peterson, bullpen coach Guy Conti and trainer Ray Ramirez.
Up close, it's easy to see what is causing Martinez's discomfort, and also why the toe could be a problem throughout the season. His violent delivery puts enormous stress on his twisting back foot, punctuated by a kicking motion that leaves the top of his right cleat and lower pant leg streaked with dirt. The modified shoe, packed with gel cushioning, is the best solution the Mets can come up with to keep Martinez pitching. But altering his damaging delivery is out of the question.
"Not a chance," Martinez said. " I'll pack up my stuff and go home if that was the case because I'm not going to change." What the future holds for Martinez is uncertain, and with Opening Day fading, he can't even say for sure how healthy he will be beyond that date.
"I have no idea," he said. "Only God knows that."
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timotime
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Mar 5 2006, 01:13 AM
Post #2
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What a silly article.
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Gategem
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Mar 5 2006, 01:14 AM
Post #3
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Already we are starting to see why trading Kris Benson b/c of his wife was a dumb move. If they are forced to trade for another pitcher they will probably have to give up LM and who knows what else. You just can’t trade people for non-baseball reasons when the starting rotation is thin and your best starter has injury problems. Pin this potential debacle on the Wilpons. It seems whenever the Wilpons get involved in baseball decisions they royally f*ck it up.
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PavanosBalls
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Mar 5 2006, 01:14 AM
Post #4
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You know, if your team was really deep in the rotation, it might be in your best interest to let him start in mid-May. Would be more reliable down the stretch run and post-season.
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Gategem
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Mar 5 2006, 01:25 AM
Post #5
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- PavanosBalls
- Mar 5 2006, 12:14 AM
You know, if your team was really deep in the rotation, it might be in your best interest to let him start in mid-May. Would be more reliable down the stretch run and post-season.
The rotation is extremely thin. It reminds me of the Yankee SP with age, injuries and unknowns. Both teams best SP talent will be in the minors (Hughes for the Yankees and Pelfrey for the Mets, although Pelfrey is older and closer to the majors than Hughes).
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