OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - WIN AT ALL COSTS! The 2004 Boston Red Sox

AZTarHeel · 05-07-2004, 01:51 AM

Pedro: I want to finish my career in Boston

MLB.com * May 19, 2004

This season's top pitcher so far says he wants to spend the rest of his playing days as a member of the Boston Red Sox.

"I want to finish my career right here," Pedro Martinez said this week from Fenway Park. "I'm hoping management can put the right deal together for me so I can retire wearing these colors."

The deal Martinez (8-0) is angling for? Six years for more than $17 million per year. Right now, Manny Ramirez is the best paid player on the Sox roster. He makes roughly $14 million per season.

Martinez's current contract runs out at the end of this season. The 32-year-old right-hander, April's pitcher of the month in the AL, is making $12.25 million per year right now -- sixth highest in the Majors. His asking price would put him right up there with A-Rod, who is currently making about $17.8 million a year.

Theo Epstein, the general manager of the club, said talks are on-going with Martinez and his agent.

"We love the work he's doing for us this year and what he's done for us in the past," Epstein said. "We're looking to ride his right arm to a World Series title this season. Hopefully the first of several."

How Boston handles its plethora of would-be free agents will be interesting to watch as the season unfolds. The Sox have more than 10 guys whose contracts expire at the end of the year and have pencilled in about $42 million per season to resign them.

Players like Ellis Burks and Mark Bellhorn have already said publicly they are looking to stay in Boston. The big question -- can the Sox afford to pay for all of these stars after 2004?

(EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm still playing V.5. If players email asking me to resign them, what affect does it have for me to wait? any? Will they stop performing if I ignore them? Will they get testy?

There are some I'm on the borderline of resigning (like Burks) but I kind of want to let the season play out a little more before I make any commitments...)

05-07-2004, 01:51 AM	#114 (permalink)
AZTarHeel All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,488 Thanks: 9 Thanked 9x in 8 posts	Pedro: I want to finish my career in Boston MLB.com * May 19, 2004 This season's top pitcher so far says he wants to spend the rest of his playing days as a member of the Boston Red Sox. "I want to finish my career right here," Pedro Martinez said this week from Fenway Park. "I'm hoping management can put the right deal together for me so I can retire wearing these colors." The deal Martinez (8-0) is angling for? Six years for more than $17 million per year. Right now, Manny Ramirez is the best paid player on the Sox roster. He makes roughly $14 million per season. Martinez's current contract runs out at the end of this season. The 32-year-old right-hander, April's pitcher of the month in the AL, is making $12.25 million per year right now -- sixth highest in the Majors. His asking price would put him right up there with A-Rod, who is currently making about $17.8 million a year. Theo Epstein, the general manager of the club, said talks are on-going with Martinez and his agent. "We love the work he's doing for us this year and what he's done for us in the past," Epstein said. "We're looking to ride his right arm to a World Series title this season. Hopefully the first of several." How Boston handles its plethora of would-be free agents will be interesting to watch as the season unfolds. The Sox have more than 10 guys whose contracts expire at the end of the year and have pencilled in about $42 million per season to resign them. Players like Ellis Burks and Mark Bellhorn have already said publicly they are looking to stay in Boston. The big question -- can the Sox afford to pay for all of these stars after 2004? (EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm still playing V.5. If players email asking me to resign them, what affect does it have for me to wait? any? Will they stop performing if I ignore them? Will they get testy? There are some I'm on the borderline of resigning (like Burks) but I kind of want to let the season play out a little more before I make any commitments...)