redsoxman
12-12-2003, 12:42 AM
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - Still in his workout clothes, Pedro Martinez [stats, news] sat on his living room couch last night to give a wide-ranging interview on just about all things Red Sox [stats, schedule].
He could have gone on all night but his fiance, Carolina, was waiting for him to shower up and come meet her at church. So, Martinez had to cut the interview short, but before he did, he expounded on a great number of issues that strike at the heart and soul of the short- and long-term fortunes of the Red Sox.
None of the topics, however, were more interesting than Martinez touching upon the delicate matter of his upcoming negotiations with the Red Sox about a long-term contract extension that could wind up being the final pact of his career.
Martinez wants a deal. He made it clear he wants to remain a Red Sox but he also said that if he and the team do not strike a deal before April 5, the first day of the regular season, he will gear himself toward becoming a free agent after the 2004 season. And Martinez has already begun imagining teams he could play for.
Like the Mets and the Giants. The Yankees? Probably not, but you never know. There are a few other American League teams he would consider, but for now, he is waiting for the Red Sox to make the first move.
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein and Martinez' agent, Fernando Cuza, are expected to begin talks later this week at the winter meetings in New Orleans. Martinez would prefer that the talks are successful.
``I would actually like to finish my career in Boston,'' Martinez said. ``I've always maintained that. I don't want to wander anymore. Of course I want to finish my career with my team, but if it's not possible, it's not possible. That doesn't mean I have to go on my knees and beg them to sign me, to just finish my career with them. I can finish my career with anybody else, too.''
And Martinez has a couple of ideas already.
``Really, I have to wait, try to put up another good year, see who's in need of a pitcher, really,'' Martinez said. ``Is it the Red Sox, is it the Mets, is it San Francisco - who needs what? And see what they are willing to offer if I'm not signed by the Red Sox by then.''
Martinez did not mention New York and San Francisco by accident.
``No, I'm just saying teams I feel I can play for,'' Martinez said. ``I've pitched well, really well, in New York all-time, in Shea Stadium (5-1, 1.17 ERA in seven games), so I always have that team in mind. And San Francisco, Felipe's (Alou, Martinez' former manager in Montreal) there. The only way I'd go back to Montreal is if Felipe was there - Felipe gave me my first opportunity. And if I had somebody in my mind to go back to, it would be Felipe - if he's in baseball. If not, go somewhere else, or try to go somewhere else. I'll pitch for any team - the National League, definitely, but I wouldn't mind pitching for some teams in the AL.''
Asked if that included the Yankees, Martinez said, ``No, I wouldn't say that.'' Asked if that was a definite no to pinstripes, Martinez demurred a bit.
``I don't know, I don't know who I would play for. In the AL? I'm going to reserve the names of teams I would play for.''
He'll stick to pitching
Martinez has been keeping up with the possibility of the Red Sox pulling off a major deal involving Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez [stats, news] and/or Nomar Garciaparra [stats, news]. As for whether all these moves were necessary for a team just five victories short of winning a World Series this season, Martinez had a good laugh.
``This is baseball, this is business and this is none of my problems,'' he said. ``I don't want to get my nose into that. I know about curving the ball, sinking the ball, changing speeds, all those things - none of that business stuff, I don't know any of that.''
He would not say if he wanted Rodriguez to join the team.
``No, no, no, no, no - I have no comment about that,'' Martinez said. ``A-Rod is a good player, so is Nomar. I have the same amount of respect for both of them and either one playing is fine with me. I don't have any favorite. Whatever they do, is their responsibility. They both are super players and both are stars, I just have to wait.''
Martinez also saw some humor in the idea that the Sox placing Ramirez on irrevocable waivers last month would somehow hurt Ramirez' feelings. He said he had not yet spoken with Ramirez.
``He actually asked for me the other day and they gave him my phone number and he hasn't called,'' said Martinez. ``But Manny is cuckoo. He is cuckoo. He is in la-la land.''
And being in la-la land does not make Ramirez a distraction to his teammates, Martinez maintained.
``No, no, I don't think so - no one on the team thinks Manny is a distraction,'' said Martinez. ``We had one of the best clubhouses in the whole league last year, so nobody can ever say anyone was a distraction. We behaved really well and whoever had a problem, handled it really professionally.''
Likes the pair of aces
Martinez said he was glad to hear from new teammate Curt Schilling right after the Red Sox' trade with Arizona was completed the day after Thanksgiving.
``He just said he is excited to be with me and the Boston team, that he wanted to make sure I was on the team because that was one of the things he asked for when he signed the deal, the two-year extension - he agreed to that because I was going to be with the team,'' Martinez said. ``And I'm actually with the team for one more year.''
Martinez voiced ignorance about why Schilling, signed through at least 2006, was so sure Martinez would be locked up long-term.
``I have no idea but that's what he said, he was counting on me to be with the team,'' Martinez said. ``I said, `I'm always hoping to stay there, it's up to Boston now.' That's what they said, they are going to make every effort to keep me in Boston.''
Martinez welcomed the addition of Schilling to the rotation and did not care who was tabbed with the No. 1 label.
``No, it doesn't matter, not to me,'' Martinez said. ``If I have my spot in the roster, a spot in the rotation, it doesn't matter. I think it's a matter of respect and numbers and if it feels like he deserves to be No. 1, I don't have anything to say about. All I can do is just go out there, prove what I can do, and do my job and help him.''
No problems with brass
Martinez is pleased with the overall style and openness of the John Henry ownership group, including Epstein.
``These people are more open, they exchange a little more with us, the players, they are more expressive,'' Martinez said. ``The other group was more like the same, classy, old-school owners that didn't have that much contact with players but did what they had to do and went about their business, except for maybe (former GM) Dan (Duquette) that would come down some times. But Dan is a lot more reserved than Theo is about coming to the clubhouse, talking to players. Dan is more reserved than Theo might be about talking to us, saying hello, even though Theo seems a little shy and insecure some times. You know, he's so young, but they all have done their job the way they need to do it.''
Martinez said he enjoys a positive relationship with all of the front office - both the present contingent and most of the past members as well.
``I don't have any problems, in fact I never had a problem with any of the others,'' said Martinez. ``I never had problems with Dan, never had problems with Mr. (John) Harrington, anybody. Didn't have a problem with anyone up there except for (former pitching coach and manager Joe) Kerrigan.''
Explaining the silence
Martinez is still steaming about how some members of the Red Sox media twisted the meaning of his comments in Toronto last season, when the day after the Red Sox picked up his $17.5 million option for this year, he was made to sound as if he was still going to become a free agent.
He also was criticized for his early departure from the team before the All-Star break. He subsequently refused to speak to the media for most of the season's second half.
Martinez said some reporters reported his intent correctly about the option pickup, ``but evil people, evil writers - they have to be evil to try to misuse a person that's never done any harm to anybody, to try to make him look like an (expletive) in front of so many good fans. Someone that has earned his respect by doing his job, by being so cooperative with all of you, being misused like I was, it made no sense for me to keep talking when I did the best I could.
``I can never imagine explaining something so clear and being so happy, to say what I did say for someone to misjudge like that and misuse it to make me look like an (expletive) in front of the fans.
``That's where it started. And then the All-Star Game, people said I left Saturday after my game. I didn't leave on Saturday, I left on Sunday, when they gave me permission to leave.''
And shortly thereafter yesterday, Martinez had to leave. Time to stop talking, again, and get on with his life.
He could have gone on all night but his fiance, Carolina, was waiting for him to shower up and come meet her at church. So, Martinez had to cut the interview short, but before he did, he expounded on a great number of issues that strike at the heart and soul of the short- and long-term fortunes of the Red Sox.
None of the topics, however, were more interesting than Martinez touching upon the delicate matter of his upcoming negotiations with the Red Sox about a long-term contract extension that could wind up being the final pact of his career.
Martinez wants a deal. He made it clear he wants to remain a Red Sox but he also said that if he and the team do not strike a deal before April 5, the first day of the regular season, he will gear himself toward becoming a free agent after the 2004 season. And Martinez has already begun imagining teams he could play for.
Like the Mets and the Giants. The Yankees? Probably not, but you never know. There are a few other American League teams he would consider, but for now, he is waiting for the Red Sox to make the first move.
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein and Martinez' agent, Fernando Cuza, are expected to begin talks later this week at the winter meetings in New Orleans. Martinez would prefer that the talks are successful.
``I would actually like to finish my career in Boston,'' Martinez said. ``I've always maintained that. I don't want to wander anymore. Of course I want to finish my career with my team, but if it's not possible, it's not possible. That doesn't mean I have to go on my knees and beg them to sign me, to just finish my career with them. I can finish my career with anybody else, too.''
And Martinez has a couple of ideas already.
``Really, I have to wait, try to put up another good year, see who's in need of a pitcher, really,'' Martinez said. ``Is it the Red Sox, is it the Mets, is it San Francisco - who needs what? And see what they are willing to offer if I'm not signed by the Red Sox by then.''
Martinez did not mention New York and San Francisco by accident.
``No, I'm just saying teams I feel I can play for,'' Martinez said. ``I've pitched well, really well, in New York all-time, in Shea Stadium (5-1, 1.17 ERA in seven games), so I always have that team in mind. And San Francisco, Felipe's (Alou, Martinez' former manager in Montreal) there. The only way I'd go back to Montreal is if Felipe was there - Felipe gave me my first opportunity. And if I had somebody in my mind to go back to, it would be Felipe - if he's in baseball. If not, go somewhere else, or try to go somewhere else. I'll pitch for any team - the National League, definitely, but I wouldn't mind pitching for some teams in the AL.''
Asked if that included the Yankees, Martinez said, ``No, I wouldn't say that.'' Asked if that was a definite no to pinstripes, Martinez demurred a bit.
``I don't know, I don't know who I would play for. In the AL? I'm going to reserve the names of teams I would play for.''
He'll stick to pitching
Martinez has been keeping up with the possibility of the Red Sox pulling off a major deal involving Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez [stats, news] and/or Nomar Garciaparra [stats, news]. As for whether all these moves were necessary for a team just five victories short of winning a World Series this season, Martinez had a good laugh.
``This is baseball, this is business and this is none of my problems,'' he said. ``I don't want to get my nose into that. I know about curving the ball, sinking the ball, changing speeds, all those things - none of that business stuff, I don't know any of that.''
He would not say if he wanted Rodriguez to join the team.
``No, no, no, no, no - I have no comment about that,'' Martinez said. ``A-Rod is a good player, so is Nomar. I have the same amount of respect for both of them and either one playing is fine with me. I don't have any favorite. Whatever they do, is their responsibility. They both are super players and both are stars, I just have to wait.''
Martinez also saw some humor in the idea that the Sox placing Ramirez on irrevocable waivers last month would somehow hurt Ramirez' feelings. He said he had not yet spoken with Ramirez.
``He actually asked for me the other day and they gave him my phone number and he hasn't called,'' said Martinez. ``But Manny is cuckoo. He is cuckoo. He is in la-la land.''
And being in la-la land does not make Ramirez a distraction to his teammates, Martinez maintained.
``No, no, I don't think so - no one on the team thinks Manny is a distraction,'' said Martinez. ``We had one of the best clubhouses in the whole league last year, so nobody can ever say anyone was a distraction. We behaved really well and whoever had a problem, handled it really professionally.''
Likes the pair of aces
Martinez said he was glad to hear from new teammate Curt Schilling right after the Red Sox' trade with Arizona was completed the day after Thanksgiving.
``He just said he is excited to be with me and the Boston team, that he wanted to make sure I was on the team because that was one of the things he asked for when he signed the deal, the two-year extension - he agreed to that because I was going to be with the team,'' Martinez said. ``And I'm actually with the team for one more year.''
Martinez voiced ignorance about why Schilling, signed through at least 2006, was so sure Martinez would be locked up long-term.
``I have no idea but that's what he said, he was counting on me to be with the team,'' Martinez said. ``I said, `I'm always hoping to stay there, it's up to Boston now.' That's what they said, they are going to make every effort to keep me in Boston.''
Martinez welcomed the addition of Schilling to the rotation and did not care who was tabbed with the No. 1 label.
``No, it doesn't matter, not to me,'' Martinez said. ``If I have my spot in the roster, a spot in the rotation, it doesn't matter. I think it's a matter of respect and numbers and if it feels like he deserves to be No. 1, I don't have anything to say about. All I can do is just go out there, prove what I can do, and do my job and help him.''
No problems with brass
Martinez is pleased with the overall style and openness of the John Henry ownership group, including Epstein.
``These people are more open, they exchange a little more with us, the players, they are more expressive,'' Martinez said. ``The other group was more like the same, classy, old-school owners that didn't have that much contact with players but did what they had to do and went about their business, except for maybe (former GM) Dan (Duquette) that would come down some times. But Dan is a lot more reserved than Theo is about coming to the clubhouse, talking to players. Dan is more reserved than Theo might be about talking to us, saying hello, even though Theo seems a little shy and insecure some times. You know, he's so young, but they all have done their job the way they need to do it.''
Martinez said he enjoys a positive relationship with all of the front office - both the present contingent and most of the past members as well.
``I don't have any problems, in fact I never had a problem with any of the others,'' said Martinez. ``I never had problems with Dan, never had problems with Mr. (John) Harrington, anybody. Didn't have a problem with anyone up there except for (former pitching coach and manager Joe) Kerrigan.''
Explaining the silence
Martinez is still steaming about how some members of the Red Sox media twisted the meaning of his comments in Toronto last season, when the day after the Red Sox picked up his $17.5 million option for this year, he was made to sound as if he was still going to become a free agent.
He also was criticized for his early departure from the team before the All-Star break. He subsequently refused to speak to the media for most of the season's second half.
Martinez said some reporters reported his intent correctly about the option pickup, ``but evil people, evil writers - they have to be evil to try to misuse a person that's never done any harm to anybody, to try to make him look like an (expletive) in front of so many good fans. Someone that has earned his respect by doing his job, by being so cooperative with all of you, being misused like I was, it made no sense for me to keep talking when I did the best I could.
``I can never imagine explaining something so clear and being so happy, to say what I did say for someone to misjudge like that and misuse it to make me look like an (expletive) in front of the fans.
``That's where it started. And then the All-Star Game, people said I left Saturday after my game. I didn't leave on Saturday, I left on Sunday, when they gave me permission to leave.''
And shortly thereafter yesterday, Martinez had to leave. Time to stop talking, again, and get on with his life.