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Moriarty9 · 10-08-2009, 11:25 AM

Pedro to stay put after all
Future Hall of Famer re-signs with D-Rays
November 1, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Just a few days after riding through a World Series victory parade to the chants of "Come back Pedro," the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Pedro Martinez have agreed to a contract extension.

Martinez will stay with the Devil Rays through the 2010 season at an annual salary of $20 million, the same pay he earned this past season.

The deal was a surprise to many who thought Martinez had thrown his last pitches in a Tampa Bay uniform when reports throughout the season indicated the Devil Rays were several million dollars short of what the future Hall of Famer was looking for.

After winning their fourth World Series in six years, however, the club's ownership increased the team's budget just enough to sign Martinez. The team did not pick up its $3.5 million option on right-hander John Lackey due to the financial constraints the new Martinez contract puts on the club.

Martinez, who turned 37 last week, went 17-8 with a 2.97 ERA in 31 starts this season, and rolled through the playoffs with a 4-0 record and 2.31 ERA in five starts. He is 21-8 with a 2.53 ERA in his post-season career, all with Tampa Bay. Martinez owns a career record of 249-115 with a 3.26 ERA.

Martinez has four World Series rings with the Devil Rays, owns six Cy Young awards, and is a seven-time All Star. If not for the performance of his teammate Dan Haren, Martinez may be a top contender for this year's Cy Young award.

10-08-2009, 11:25 AM	#598 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,858 Thanks: 10 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Pedro to stay put after all Future Hall of Famer re-signs with D-Rays November 1, 2008 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Just a few days after riding through a World Series victory parade to the chants of "Come back Pedro," the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Pedro Martinez have agreed to a contract extension. Martinez will stay with the Devil Rays through the 2010 season at an annual salary of $20 million, the same pay he earned this past season. The deal was a surprise to many who thought Martinez had thrown his last pitches in a Tampa Bay uniform when reports throughout the season indicated the Devil Rays were several million dollars short of what the future Hall of Famer was looking for. After winning their fourth World Series in six years, however, the club's ownership increased the team's budget just enough to sign Martinez. The team did not pick up its $3.5 million option on right-hander John Lackey due to the financial constraints the new Martinez contract puts on the club. Martinez, who turned 37 last week, went 17-8 with a 2.97 ERA in 31 starts this season, and rolled through the playoffs with a 4-0 record and 2.31 ERA in five starts. He is 21-8 with a 2.53 ERA in his post-season career, all with Tampa Bay. Martinez owns a career record of 249-115 with a 3.26 ERA. Martinez has four World Series rings with the Devil Rays, owns six Cy Young awards, and is a seven-time All Star. If not for the performance of his teammate Dan Haren, Martinez may be a top contender for this year's Cy Young award. Last edited by Moriarty9; 10-08-2009 at 11:32 AM. Reason: Corrected year