Phillies to sign Pedro?

July 10, 9:20 AMMLB ExaminerAlex Brown

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AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File

The Philadelphia Phillies are looking for starting pitchers just about everywhere.  They were linked to Erik Bedard through trade and have recently emerged as a possible trade partner should the Blue Jays decide to deal Roy Halladay.  Also, reports are that Pedro Martinez will audition for the team today at 1pm, with the possibility of signing a contract soon after, though the team has backed off from making any definitive statements.

Martinez hasn’t pitched at all in 2009, and had a miserable 2008 campaign with the Mets, finishing with a 5.61 ERA in 20 starts.  His latest game action was the World Baseball Classic, where by all accounts he looked very good – in fact, the only reason he remains unsigned is the fact that he’s demanding more money than most teams feel he’s worth.  Is a healthy, efficient Pedro all the Phillies need?

The defending world champion Phillies haven’t really gotten a consistent performance from any of their starters, so I don’t assume they would stop at Pedro Martinez.  I would think that they would still be in on Roy Halladay, should the Jays decide to trade the ace right-hander.  After all, Pedro is hardly a sure thing in Citizens Bank Park with quite a bit of time off.  Perhaps the Phillies view him as a bullpen pitcher, as the Cubs and Rays were rumored to have thought about.

The Phillies need to do something to create some separation between themselves and Florida, New York, and Atlanta.  Their offense is world class, but bringing in some pitching should be their top priority.  I’m not entirely sold on Pedro in Philadelphia, but I’ll give GM Ruben Amaro some points for creativity if he brings him aboard.