Conflicting Reports Say Phillies Sign Pedro Martinez, GM Says "No"

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According to Candela Deportiva, the Philadelphia Phillies have signed free agent pitcher Pedro Martinez to a one-year contract worth $4 million.

The 37-year-old, right-handed throwing hurler threw for the Phillies in the Domincan Republic this week. According to reports, Martinez was throwing his fastball between 88 and 91 MPH with good secondary pitches.

Phillies' general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has said he hasn't signed Martinez; however, he had no comment on an agreement or pending physical, according to Todd Zolecki.

That sounds a lot like they have agreed to a contract pending a physical for the former New York Met.

Martinez is a three-time Cy Young Award winner and was one of the most dominant pitchers in his time. But he is well past his prime and is nothing more than a No. 5 starter at this point.

If this does happen, does this mean that the Phils are out of the Roy Halladay sweepstakes?

I'm going out on a limb here and saying no.

Let's say the Phillies sign Martinez, does that make J.A. Happ expendable in a trade for Halladay? No one knows exactly what the Blue Jays would want for Doc, but Happ would probably be atop the list they would be asking for.

Philadelphia have basically called Drabek an "untouchable," manager Charlie Manuel said so. But does that open the door for Happ to be the centerpiece for a Halladay deal?

That's a question that I am asking to you Phillies fans. Would you trade Happ for Halladay?

My answer is yes!

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