Retired. Lived in the television, radio and movie industry as a sound engineer. Simultaneously wrote and often directed many (local and national) commercials for television and radio. Now I spend all my time writing about this, that, and the other thing, largely humorous and satirical, except for when I am firmly mounted on my high horse, as in the American election. Not only does Pedro not come cheap, but his perks alone would outfit a regular player.
The Mets' management is comprised of a collection of mindless souls who tend to think that they can correct all of their ills with one acquisition -- as if one person alone can save them from screwing up another season.
If they do get him, they will soon learn that he is not to be trusted, as an important word missing from Pedro's dictionary is "loyalty."
It is hard to conceive that a player who is part of a World Series team wants to leave it for more money than he can possibly handle. Of course, we don't really believe that Pedro is asking for the money. It is his pimp (agent) who is arranging everything.
Martinez has blossomed from a nice guy -- when he played for Montreal -- to a cry baby who could not get his own way with Boston.
He cries about a few fans who do not like him, and let him know it.
He whines about this, and he whines about that. And now his whining is showing up again in the 'negotiations' in the form of demands.
He doesn't want to undergo an MRI examination that would show the truth about his arm and rotator cuff. His agent thinks that might jeopardize the deal. For a measly $54 million over four years, why should Pedro have to go through that machine?
But, I don't totally fault Pedro and his pimp here, albeit they are beneath contempt as they further undermine the image of baseball, already partially ruined by pimps.
Instead, I fault Mets' management more for agreeing to negotiate such high figures for a player who is nowhere near worth that money.
Pedro is a player who is on the verge of suffering more injuries than he has now. He can never get better because getting older supersedes that luxury, so he can only get worse, which he will, and the Mets will look stupid.
If, however, the deal does go through, then I would suggest that the Mets talk to the Canadian government about the four used submarines Canada bought from England, one of which is responsible for the death of a sailor, and all of which are rusting.
Since they are so bent on tossing money away for questionable products, perhaps the Mets would be interested in investing in these subs.
Pedro and the subs have several things in common. They are both used, they both have passed their prime, and they both cost much more than they are worth.