Baseball Musings: Off the Cuff

October 06, 2006

Off the Cuff

Pedro Martinez underwent rotator cuff surgery yesterday. The operation was deemed a success.

It was Morgan, when Martínez first learned he had a partial tear of his rotator cuff in 2001, who advised against surgery, a recommendation supported by Dr. Lewis Yocum when Martínez sought a second opinion. Instead, under the supervision of former Sox physical therapist Chris Correnti, Martínez embarked on a program to strengthen the muscles in his shoulder around the tear. Martínez rebounded the following season to win 20 games, defying those who thought he'd never be the same and rewarding his faith in the Sox medical team.
But after averaging 15 wins over the next three seasons, including his last two with the Red Sox, and signing a four-year, $53 million contract with the Mets, Martínez broke down physically this season, sidelined by toe, hip, and calf injuries, before an MRI revealed the torn cuff. The three-time Cy Young Award winner was just 9-8 with a 4.48 ERA in 23 starts, only 2-5 with a 8.74 ERA in his last eight starts, a stretch that began with him allowing eight runs (six earned) in three innings in his first appearance at Fenway Park since leaving as a free agent.

The Mets' great season, with and without Pedro, is likely helping to shield Minaya from criticism of the deal. He built enough depth into the club to overcome the injuries.

Posted by David Pinto at 08:11 AM | Injuries | TrackBack (0)

Comments

Martinez is worth every penny of that deal even if he never pitches another game for the Mets. Every mets fan to a man will tell you that.

His impact on that organization goes far beyond his quantifiable performance on the field.

Posted by: bmc at October 6, 2006 09:09 AM

Martinez has been a good signing for the Mets because it got the fan base charged up.

What I don't understand how it was determined he needed rotator cuff surgery while he went to have his calves examined. :-)

Posted by: Basura at October 6, 2006 09:31 AM

Likely helping to shield Minaya from criticism? How about.... likely helping Pedro get back to being healthy?

Posted by: Andrew at October 6, 2006 09:46 AM

I'll echo the above commenters. He's already been worth of every penny they signed him for, even if he never pitches again - and I doubt that we won't see him back by next year.

Posted by: paul zummo at October 6, 2006 10:17 AM

Basura,

Pedro's shoulder has been damaged since 2001. It's reasonable to check up on it with all the other ailments he's had. They could have had an impact on the shoulder.

He's compensated for the bum wing by relying on his legs and core to generate the torque needed to pitch effectively. Those parts are breaking down putting more strain on the shoulder which will inevitably cause it to fail.

It's a smart move for them to fix all of it in one shot right now. I wouldn't be surprised if this adds 4 years of '05 vintage to Pedro's career.

Posted by: bmc at October 6, 2006 11:00 AM

Pedro is NOT worth the money at all. He is getting paid a ton. He made 14 million dollars for nothing this year. He is due another 14 million next year for RE-HAB. He will not be back till about about half-way thru at least. How is that worth it? Then he only has one more year and that is it. He is 35 years old. He has not thrown like PEDRO in years. He is a very smart pitcher. That is what has gotten him through this. The Sox were smart not to give in. The Mets could have used the money on a younger guy or even two guys. You think winning 9 games makes you "deserve" 14 million a year? People in NYC are just so used to being robbed they think a billion a year to a guy would be "worth it." They are winning WITHOUT him. How is he worth it?

Posted by: Frank at October 6, 2006 11:09 AM

Frank,

Well, I'm just a dumb new yorker but let me try to explain this from the perspective of baseball as a business.

Pedro's brought in about $5M extra in gate receipts alone for his home starts. An average of 5000 walkups more than other Mets starters for each of his games at Shea.

As for the rest of the starts? Pedro's signing was a direct catalyst for signing Beltran. Where would the Mets be now without that guy? Those two players were the biggst forces in making the Mets a winning team (which they weren't in '04). There is a specific value to that turnaround.

The Mets net a bundle more money when they're winning. Gate receipts, endorsements, coverage... The list of benefits goes on and on. You can read about the $ value of wins to a team here:

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/measuring-the-dollar-value-of-a-player-part-1/

Ok, so if they hadn't signed Pedro who would they have? Matt Clement? Derek Lowe? Those guys might save the Mets $16M in payroll but you gotta be crazy if you think they would make a much back for the Mets. And who knows who the centerfielder would be now.

Like I said. He's meant far more to the organization than his peformance on the field. Pedro was worth it.

Posted by: bmc at October 6, 2006 11:57 AM

Correction.

Pedro IS worth the signing money.

Posted by: bmc at October 6, 2006 11:58 AM

bmc, You are hardly dumb, that is for sure. But now we are at the point where the guy does NOT have to pitch and is somehow still worth it? Spare me. As far as Beltran goes, he came here for the MONEY and nothing else. Please. With or without Pedro he came here for the dough. And yeah, I would have taken Lowe. So now Pedro had a bad year this year and will not even pitch until minimum mid-way through next year but is still worth 53 million dollars? I don't see it.
It is comical to act like these guys don't come strictly for the money. Very FEW come for other purposes. Glavine HATED New York for the first couple of years but came for more dough and finally came around to liking it. He hinted that very strongly. You are basically saying Pedro does not even have to pitch and he is still worth it? Like an overpayed mascot or something? The Mets are winning this year when Pedro had a bad year. Thus, it is due mostly to players NOT named Pedro. They are also drawing fans when he is NOT pitching. I certainly do not doubt a correlation between winning and fan attendance. There is no doubt about it.
Also, giving away 53 million here and 100 million there means the fans take a beating for it in every way. But that is the peril of guaranteed contracts. Pedro gets 14 million next year to work out. A little off the wall, no?
No offense but with this kind of thinking it is no shock people get !@#$ because they ask for it. The Yankee rainout still cost a ton of money for the poor fans. $26 for parking was never given back despite a rainout. Not even 50%. Concessions, etc. were spent as people waited like saps and get hit by losing their ticket thanks to a day game the following day. Sad. We will see about Pedro and the mets. Either way, pay up because they certainly do not have your best interest at heart. That is for sure.

Posted by: Frank at October 6, 2006 12:47 PM

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