Starting Pitcher: Long Shot for Pedro and Mets
According to reports from yesterday, Mets GM Omar Minaya met with Pedro Martinez in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday.
However, Newsday writes, “It was more of a courtesy to Martinez than a big sit-down to talk contract… Minaya was in the Dominican Republic on a prearranged scouting trip,” according to a person familiar with the situation.
Minaya told Newsday in an e-mail yesterday that 
he has was simply keeping in touch with Martinez, while adding there is nothing new to report on negotiations with free-agent RHP Oliver Perez.
Yesterday, Marty Noble of MLB.com categorized Martinez’s chances of returning to the Mets as ‘a long shot,’ according to a person familiar with the team’s activities.
In the Daily News, John Harper believes the Mets will only bring Martinez back if they fail to sign Perez, or fall-back options Randy Wolf or Ben Sheets.
Nevertheless, according to the New York Post, Martinez plans to use the WBC as an audition for major league teams.
As Adam Rubin of the Daily News put it last night on SNY’s Hot Stove Show, Martinez is most likely going to want a guaranteed contract – however, how can the Mets give him anything other than a minor-league deal, when they already have Freddy Garcia, Tim Redding and Jon Niese competing for the fifth starter spot.
Speaking of pitchers…
Ken Gurnick of MLB.com believes the Dodgers and Randy Wolf have resumed contract talks, though Wolf is unlikely to make a final decision until after Perez inks a deal.
