NewsNationals not interested in Pedro
Team unwilling to disrupt young rotation for Martinez
By Bill Ladson / MLB.com
04/23/09 11:34 PM ET
WASHINGTON -- Pedro Martinez is still a free agent, and there is a report from FOXSports.com that said the Nationals are one of several teams to have interest in the right-hander. But a team source said the Nationals haven't had interest in Martinez since Spring Training.The only way the Nationals would sign Martinez is if he agreed to their parameters -- accept an inexpensive contract and be a mentor to the young starting rotation, which has a 2.27 ERA in its last seven games. According to published reports, Martinez wants a one-year, $5 million contract. That will not happen in Washington.
"We are satisfied with our rotation even though there is going to be some bumps along the way. We wouldn't want to make any changes there." the source said.
Acting general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Manny Acta were not available for comment.
MLB.com contacted Martinez's agent, Fernando Cuza, but he declined to say which teams were interested in Martinez.
Martinez, 37, went 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA in 20 starts for the Mets last season, his first full season coming off shoulder surgery. He has worked only 269 2/3 innings over the past three seasons.
He pitched twice for the Dominican Republic against The Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, pitching six scoreless innings.
Bill Ladson is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
