Pedro Martinez

Martinez's 2008 season got off to a nightmare start, when his left hamstring popped in the fourth inning of his first start, sidelining him for two months. Pedro also dealt with the illness of his father, who ultimately passed away in July, and that may have hurt his concentration during the year. After returning in June, Pedro lasted a month injury-free, before being bothered by tightness in his pitching shoulder, which plagued him the rest of the way, preventing him from getting loose and limiting the velocity on his fastball. Martinez went 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA in 20 starts in 2008 and was 32-23 in 79 starts over the length of the four-year, $53 million contract he signed with the Mets in 2005. He is looking to hook on with somewhere for a one-year deal, but he may retire.

Surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in October 2006 sidelined Martinez until September. While the velocity on his fastball topped out at just 90 mph, his changeup and curveball were dominant, as he went 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA and 32:7 K:BB ratio in 28 innings. While Martinez may never regain the velocity on his fastball, he should be able to get back some of its late movement, and that coupled with his two other stellar pitches and knowledge of how to pitch and set up hitters, should serve him well in 2008 as he will pitch near the top of the Mets' rotation.

Injuries once again cut short Martinez's season, but despite that and a high ERA (4.48), he still posted an excellent WHIP (1.11) and batting average against (.220). The injury on his right foot, which impacted his 2005 campaign, bothered him most of the spring and pushed back his Opening Day start, but he began the year 5-0 and with a sterling 2.50 ERA through May. However, the major turning point occurred during a May 27 start against Florida when he slipped and fell in the clubhouse while changing his long-sleeve undershirt, which resulted in a hip injury. That ailment combined with the toe injury caused him to miss a month of action. When he returned, a strained right calf muscle sidelined him for a month, which was then followed by a strained left calf muscle ending his season. While being examined for the calf injury, doctors discovered a torn right rotator cuff, that developed from Martinez dropping his arm angle from where it was earlier in the season. Surgery to repair the tear will sideline Pedro until mid-2007, so keep that in mind when drafting this year, plus no one knows if it will be the Martinez that threw in the 90s or the one that topped out at 86-88 on his fastball when he does come back.

Martinez, who seemed merely human in 2004, returned triumphantly in 2005, finishing fourth in the NL in ERA, first in WHIP and second in BAA. He'd have more wins, too, but the bullpen blew at least five games for him. All this despite the fact that his fastball velocity was often down in the 86-88 mph range, largely because he couldn't push off the rubber with an injured toe and due to discomfort between his shoulder blades. That said, Martinez is a warrior who took the ball 31 times last year (he was shut down for the last two starts when the Mets were eliminated from the playoffs). Keep in mind he intends to pitch for Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, so he could tire late in the season again. Also watch for news on his toe this spring.

Martinez appeared to be a very human pitcher at times in 2004. While he pitched more innings than he has since 2000, he also allowed more homers, walks, hits, hit batsmen and posted a 3.90 ERA. You now know why the Red Sox are/were hesitant to offer him a guaranteed third year in offseason contract negotiations. He has a slight body frame and Boston fears he will eventually break down. He's not the automatic first-rounder he used to be, but he's still a good pitcher worthy of a high-round selection. Now with the Mets, Shea Stadium will help mask some of his decline.

Martinez enters the 2004 season as he has every season in Boston -- the club's No. 1 starter. Martinez is still a very dominant pitcher, but only for seven innings these days. Health remains an issue for Martinez, who has spent time on the disabled list in each of the last three seasons. The Red Sox are reportedly talking extension for Martinez beyond 2004, which would make him a happier pitcher this season.

Martinez, 31, is still a dominant pitcher, but has shown a need for pampering over the last couple of seasons. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but something Martinez owners need to know. He hasn't hit the 200-inning mark since 2000, but if used properly, he will give more than enough value. He struck out 239 batters, walking only 40 in 199 1/3 innings in 2002. There are some contract issues that may play on his attitude, but it shouldn't affect his pitching stats.