The Phillies may not wait to see if they can trade for Roy Halladay before helping their ailing rotation.Pedro Martinez told The Associated Press his agent is negotiating with Philadelphia for his return to the majors, and the agent, Fern Cuza, told the Philadelphia Daily News, "There is interest on both sides."
"The Phillies saw me this past Tuesday in a simulated game and I felt very good with my fastball and all my pitches," Martinez said Thursday.Martinez, 37, could haunt his most recent team, the Mets, if he can help the Phillies in the NL East. But he was 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA last year in New York. His most recent competitive pitching came for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, where he pitched six innings over two appearances against the Netherlands, striking out six without a walk and allowing one hit.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. denied reports a deal was done, but confirmed the team's interest in the three-time AL Cy Young Award winner.
"He has not been signed," Amaro said before the NL East-leading Phillies played Cincinnati on Thursday night. "We've seen him pitch. He's not in town."
The three-time Cy Young Award winner has a 214-99 career record.
Cuza said that his client has other options besides the Phillies, but declined to specify how many.
Cuza said Martinez's goal is to be pitching for a Major League team once the All-Star Break ends next Thursday.
... Cuza says Martinez currently has "all of his options in front of him," and is currently in the decision-making process.
"I would say Pedro is getting close," Cuza said.
