Chicago Cubs: Is Carlos Marmol Recruiting Pedro Martinez?

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Not sure if anyone read the latest foot-in-mouth interview from Chicago's North Side, but this time it isn't one of the usual suspects.

No, it wasn't Milton Bradley talking about how racist the fans were. And it wasn't Geovany Soto talking about the proper way to pack a bong during the World Baseball Classic.

This time, it was closer-to-be Carlos Marmol. And he was jumping all over the hot stove.

Marmol first stated the obvious, telling the AP that the Cubs plan to use him as their closer in 2010. While logic hasn't always been the Cubs' operating philosophy, it appears it will finally win out at the back end of the bullpen.

But then Marmol decided to wander onto the topic of free agents. He told the AP that the Cubs plan to pursue fellow Dominican Pedro Martinez to fill out the back end of their rotation.

My reaction sounds like it was pretty consistent with Jim Hendry's to the news: WHAT?

A Cubs' official told Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune that the team wasn't interested in Martinez, who threw only 44.2 innings in a 2009 season cut short by injury.

In his nine starts with the Phillies, Pedro allowed seven home runs and struck out only 37; no longer did Martinez carry the Pedro Prestige that he did in Boston. His 5-1 record, and hair "style," were the only intriguing parts of Martinez's return.

So while Marmol might think adding Martinez is a great idea, as a fan I hope Hendry looks at this the same way I did: at least he didn't talk about how white Sammy Sosa has become.

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