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In an article for MLB.com, Jim Molony looks at some highly touted 
pitchers and how their team’s chances could hinge on their ability to recover from injuries.
Regarding Pedro Martinez, Molony says…
“The addition of two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana lessens the pressure on Martinez, but if the Mets are going to reclaim the National League East crown this year, they’ll need three-time Cy Young Award winner Martinez to bounce back or at least continue to be as effective as he was following his return last year.”
In five starts during September last season, Martinez was 3–1 with a 2.57 ERA during which he struck out 32 batters and walked just seven through 28 innings pitched.
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If you think about it, our starting rotation includes 5 Cy youngs, 2 15 game winners and on of the most effective post-season starting pitchers ever. I like it!
Our capturing of the NL East pennant hinges more on Pedro’s performance, than on Santana’s. Here are a couple of reasons why Pedro will have a great year, barring injury of course.
1) Santana is one of the best lefties in the game. Pedro, being a righty will offer a great change of pace and angle, pitching after Johan. In a three game series, a team will find it harder to adjust to a right-handed pitcher, after seeing such a commanding lefty on the mound the night before. The fact that both have great command of their off-speed pitches makes its magnitude even greater.
2) As reported, the healthy competition will certainly elevate ALL pitcher’s play in the Mets rotation.
Let’s not forget that Pedro is also in a contract walk year too. That should also super charge his performance.
re 1) I love the idea of a Santana, Pedro, Perez, Maine ordered rotation. In a 3 game series you always have alternating left and right which adds to the workload of the opposing hitters to deal with different arm slots, different breaking balls and all. Nice point.
two concerns about Pedro
1) can he pitch as effectively on a normal rotation? He will have to pitch on 4 days of rest regurally and he hasnt done that since early 2006. Its will be something to watch.
2) can he sustain over the long haul of the season without getting other things hurt/tired (back, leg muscles, calf, toe, etc) and can the Mets find ways to give him extra rest or a mini vacation without crippling the rotation? If 2/5 of the rotation is on the DL at the same time its not a pretty picture, and the pen may end up in the same state it was last Sept.
Well I guess we can’t say whatever Pedro gives us is gravy anymore….he has to step up.
Personally, I am more concerned about the return of Duaner Sanchez to form than I am with Pedro. We were able to win without Pedro last year, but that pen killed us last year. Hopefully they both come back strong.
Petey (Piti?) looked fine at the end of last season and I have not heard about any setbacks. My only worry with him will be as we get late into the season, not sure what kind of full season stamina he’ll have. Willie has already shown a tendency to get Pedro extra rest when he can so he’s got that going for him, but it’s important to be wary of how that impacts the other starters, given that Johan Santana’s numbers with 6+ days of rest are very bad.
I think it’s a good thing that a lot of media sorts are overlooking Maine and Ollie and staking the Mets’ postseason hopes on Pedro and Santana.
The young guns will have big seasons pitching with very little pressure in the 3 and 4 spots
Agreed.
Stupid article. Case can be made for every player, pitcher and non-pitcher, needs to step up and play like either last year or years before. No-duh, that we need a healthy Pedro pitching well just like we need Maine and Ollie to pitch like last year and better. We also need Delgado to come back strong and improve, just like we need Wright and Reyes to continue improving.
Molony is just writing just to write. Didn’t say anything that any average fan didn’t know already.
“Combined, they’ve won nine Cy Young Awards, been named to 29 All-Star teams and won 956 games, though the awards and almost all of the victories came before 2007″
That would have been a helluva season…
“…Martinez to bounce back or at least continue to be as effective as he was following his return last year.”
OR?
Martinez doesn’t need to bounce any more than he did…I’ll take last September all year long.
I think Pedro will bounce back, but even if he has a year like El Duque did we still will do well. Maine and Perez I think will have the years we all expect them to have and Santana will be Santana. I havent been this excited about a rotation in a while….
I simply love the storylines that are developing here. Ultra-compeditive Pedro, Ollie playing for a big payday, Maine determined to be a force and Santana… well, I think he wants it all. Reminds me of 86 when our rotation was four strong.
I think that Pedro could actually have a better year than Johan, although it’s doubtful. I just think the competition between Johan and Pedro will be healthy and will push the other. I think it coul dbe similiar to what Schilling and Pedro had going while in Boston…although that ended a little rough. Just have to remember, winning fixes all.
“at least continue to be as effective as he was following his return last year”
I’d take that. Project his September production over 32 starts and you’d get a line something like 19-7, 205K, 45BB. Johan might have some competition for that Cy Young ;)
Bring on April already!
They are also going to need Delgado to have bounce back year with the bat. That’s equally as important imho.
Dead on with that one…I don’t know what to expect from that dude…considering he is so good, he bores himself…
You’d have to think that since he’s in his walk year maybe he won’t be so bored…
“or at least continue to be as effective as last year”?
um…i will sign up right now for a full season of 9/2007 pedro.
If Delgado bounces, look for a race similar to 2006
Ollie playing for a contract.
Delgado playing for a contract.
Pedro playing for an extension and to prove he is still the man.
Everybody playing to erase the memories of last year.
Sounds like alot of reasons to kick some butt this year.
Go Mets.
I agree JSC 1968
Add to that list a healthy and happy Castillo, a determined Wright, I agree, many reasons to approach this season like a wrecking ball. I sense an overwhelming feeling of “Let’s bury the past and make a big statement”