"The welcome ever smiles" -- Williams Shakespeare

¡Recepción, Pedro! Ahora consiga trabajar…

"It is such a relief to be told the truth" -- Katherine Anne Porter

Tough night for the NL All-Stars…

But, according to mlb.com's Todd Zolecki: "Pedro [Martinez] is locked down. One year about $1 million, plus $1.5 million in incentives. News conference tomorrow."

The Phillies just picked themselves up a bargain. They'll make back most of the guarantee in "Martinez" jerseys and the like before the end of the season, if they're smart. And they are smart about things like that.

Now we'll begin to find out [while AAA Lehigh Valley, AA Reading, and A Clearwater brace to handle large crowds in Pedro's preparatory starts] the answer to the question: Can Pedro still pitch?

More on that around August 1…

"The greatest wealth is health" -- Virgil

Well, there you go…

Gordon Edes of Yahoo Sports at 5:21 pm EDT wrote: "Pedro Martinez passed his physical with the Phillies about 20 minutes ago, clearing the way for him to sign a deal with the defending world champions."

Looks like they read those MRIs and everything looks good.

Now… how about the money?

"And how is clarity to be achieved? Mainly by taking trouble and by writing to serve people rather than to impress them" -- F.L. Lucas

"Nothing's done yet…"

I guess I'm the only one who doesn't know exactly what that means.

After Pedro Martinez's physical this afternoon, David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News blogged: "After emerging, [Pedro] said that the physical was 'not over yet.'" [my emphasis]

Scott Lauber of the Wilmington News Journal later wrote: "[Martinez] went to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for a physical this morning. Pedro told reporters that it went well, but a deal hasn’t been finalized yet." [my emphasis]

So which is it?

Both of these guys seem sure enough to put it in print.

What I'm sure of is that Pedromania, as predicted here at Harry's Beef Trust, began breaking out in the City of Brotherly Love this afternoon.

Murphy also wrote: "Walking down ninth street in Center City earlier this afternoon, his eyes shaded behind a pair of designer sunglasses, the future Hall of Famer basked in both the mid-day sun and the gaggle of media who matched him stride-for-stride. As lunchtime passers-by became aware of his presence, the moving circle around him grew larger, first one-deep, then two, until the scene took on the feel of a prophet walking through dirt-paved streets, his disciples eagerly awaiting the Good News he would speak."

It may not be Manny arriving in L.A., but he hasn't signed yet, either. Read Murphy's further descriptions of Pedro feeling the love and basking in the spotlight in the bright sunshine downtown here.

Meanwhile, more medical examinations or more contract negotiations?

Again, we'll see…

"Hasten slowly" -- Caesar Augustus

Well, to ESPN's Jayson Stark, there may not have seemed to be any obstacle other than this morning's team physical to prevent Pedro Martinez from becoming a Phillie. Not so fast, though…

At 11:08 this morning, David Murphy of the Daily News blogged: "Joined by Phillies front office man Mike Ondo, Pedro Martinez arrived for his physical at 10:50 this morning. Also in Martinez's entourage was ace Phillies PR man Craig Hughner. The veteran righthander landed in town at 11:30 last night. It isn't clear what his next move is."

At 12:36, Murphy tweeted: "Pedro martinez on physical: its not over yet. [Agent Fernando] Cuza declines comment on if there are MRIs involved."

At 12:40, Andy Martino of the Inquirer tweeted: "Pedro leaving hospital: 'Nothing's done yet.'"

Martino then blogged at 12:43: "Free agent pitcher Pedro Martinez left Jefferson Hospital this afternoon and told reporters and fans that he has not signed with the Phillies after taking a physical. 'Nothing's done yet,' he said as he exited the hospital. The he told Inquirer staff writer Jorge Castillo in Spanish: 'I feel good, thank God.' Pedro put his arm around one fan and told another: 'This is my man...' He then exited, taking no more questions as the TV cameras departed."

So what isn't "done"? Sounds like MRIs may be done in another location. Or perhaps the contract isn't finished—but then why would he be here taking a physical? Or perhaps it's both.

Is something wrong, or is this a normal precaution when examining a 37-year-old throwing arm?

We'll see…

"A physician is nothing but a consoler of the mind" -- Petronius Arbiter

Ah: The moment we've all been waiting for!

David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News at 10:55 am on Twitter: "Pedro Martinez arrived for his physical at 10:50 am, joined by his agent and Phillies front office man Mike Ondo."

Murphy at 10:56: "Check that his agent was not there. Just Martinez and Ondo."

Andy Martino of the Inquirer tweeted at 11:56: "Pedro arrived at docs office for physical, declined comment on way in, says our man Jorge Castillo."

I hope the doctor's hands are warm…

Pedro arrived at Philadelphia International Airport "late Monday night" [you heard it here first], where he "told Action News sports reporter Jeff Skversky that he would need to spend a few weeks in the minor leagues if the Phils sign him" according to WPVI-TV.

Pedro: "I have too much respect for the game and too much respect for the fans to actually report there out of shape… I really want to bring something to the Phillies or to whoever I go, but it's gonna take a little bit longer. I haven't really pitched that much in the last month or so."

Huh? This is a guy about whom Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was told: "They said he threw better than he was last year and that he was in better shape."

My God, how bad was the shape he was in last year with the Mets?

And I can't help but notice Pedro's hedge: "To the Phillies or to whoever I go."

I'd have thought the reason for the weekend and Monday drifting by after seeing Pedro pitch would have been to hash out the remining details of a contract that he'd be signing after the physical, even if they do delay the announcement until after tonight's All-Star Game.

In today's Daily News, Paul Hagen and Murphy [both rested and ready and back covering baseball] wrote: "The terms of the agreement—and, therefore, the amount of monetary risk the Phillies will assume—is [sic] unknown."

So, if Pedro's sure he's going to pass his physical, why the hedge? In the same carside interview, Pedro was quite pointed in reminding reporters: "This is not 100% sure. Let's see what happens."

Maybe it's just a normal "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched" thing. Pedro is a superstitious sort, a guy who once brought a good luck midget along with him when with the Red Sox.

mlbtraderumors.com characterized remarks by ESPN's Jayson Stark yesterday afternoon on SportsCenter as saying: It's not a 'slam dunk' that Pedro will pass the physical.

Stark's actual remark was a very laughingly casual: "I don't know that it's a slam dunk that he will pass his physical, but, assuming he does, there doesn't seem to be any other obstacle in the way of him becoming a Phillie."

That also implies a contract is done, as does the fact that, according to Stark: "The [Texas] Rangers have been told they're out [of the Pedro hunt]."

Yup. If Stark isn't incorrect about this—and right now that's no 'slam dunk'—it appears money has been thoroughly discussed, if not all but finalized.

Now we're just waiting for the doctor to get his finger out of Pedro, read the MRIs, and anoint Martinez as the new media fave of the Philly press corps.

Expect some real Pedromania to begin in Philly any time now.

And for those of you who are concerned that Pedro's fastball was between 88 and 91 mph on Tuesday [The Phils expect him to be able to reach 93], and that a "source" told Fox's Ken Rosenthal it topped out at 88-89 on Friday, I have just one question to ask.

Give that the Phillies are ostensibly trying to replace the innings that Brett Myers would be pitching, how hard was Myers actually throwing the last two seasons?

The only difference I see here is that Myers was a stubborn bulldog with stuff that was suddenly bordering on average who would battle into the 7th-8th-9th if you let him.

I'm just hoping that the similar Martinez might be able to pitch six once in a while, and not stress the bullpen too much. He'll have to prove he has the stamina.

And with Jamie Moyer routinely struggling to pitch into the 5th or 6th, that's a real concern.

"Presence is more than just being there" -- Malcolm Forbes

A 3:38 pm blog post from Todd Zolecki of mlb.com: "Pedro Martinez is expected to arrive in Philadelphia tonight and take a physical tomorrow morning, a baseball source said."

A 3:40 pm blog post from Andy Martino of the Inquirer: "Free agent starting pitcher Pedro Martinez is scheduled to meet with Phillies team doctors Tuesday at 11 a.m. He landed in Philadelphia this morning."

A 4:36 blog post from Scott Lauber of Wilmington News Journal: "Pedro Martinez isn’t in town yet, but he’ll be here later this evening. He’ll take a physical tomorrow, and if he passes (he’s expected to pass), the Phillies could announce his signing Wednesday."


Things seem to be coming into focus, slowly but surely…

"The pendulum of the mind alternates between sense and nonsense" -- Carl Jung

It's virtually impossible for all of this to be any weirder or more hilarious.

My flight info from the Dominican [below] is apparently back in play—maybe, of course.

This tweet just in minutes ago from Todd Zolecki: "Pedro Martinez is not in town, but he will be later today. He may take his physical tomorrow, but that has not been finalized."

Still, Andy Martino updated his blog even more recently and asserts: "Free agent starting pitcher Pedro Martinez has landed in Philadelphia this morning for a physical with the Phillies’ medical team, a Phillies source confirmed. Passing it is considered the last step before finalizing a deal for the remainder of the season."

So, let's recap:

Pedro is either a.) is, or b.) is not in Philadephia.

So, he's either a.) en route, or b.) not en route.

He'll either a.) have a physical tomorrow, or b.) not have a physical tomorrow.

After that, he'll either a.) sign with the Phillies, or b.) not sign with the Phillies.

Got it?

I'm sure this will either a.) get you excited, or b.) frustrate you.

There'll either be a.) some actual, correct, confirmed news soon, or b.) there won't.


Sheesh…

"Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little" -- Epicurus

Nope. I guess no one needed the important info I posted just a while ago.

When it rains, it pours. Pedro Martinez has apparently already entered the proverbial building.

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Andy Martino tweets: "Pedro has landed in Philly for physical."

Yeah. We'll see…

Also from Martino: "[Roy] Halladay sounds eager to be traded."

I still wouldn't get my hopes up, despite the fact that Toronto—strapped with gawd-awful contracts to Vernon Wells and Alex Rios—apparently is serious about trimming the budget by dumping one of the most effective starters in baseball.

I'll admit that the Phillies are probably the only team around that could pony up a Future Games shortstop [Jason Donald] and three Futures games hurlers [Yohan Flande, Kyle Drabek, and Carlos Carrasco]—some combo of which would seem to address Toronto's needs for youth, quality, and cost certainty during the next few years.

Still, they'll want someone to run right into the rotation who'll meet with some success to assuage the pain of fans irritated by seeing a white flag being waved. And that'd be J.A. Happ.

And, I'm sorry: What good is replacing Brett Myers if you then have to replace J.A. Happ?

Right now, despite Joe Blanton's recent successes, Happ looks like the glue holding together this suddenly shaky rotation.

"A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving" -- Lao Tzu

Oh, the universally admired and unilaterally praised Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has now written: "Free-agent right-hander Pedro Martinez will take his physical with the Phillies on Tuesday."

He sounds pretty darned certain.

Rosenthal quotes a source that, of course, has "knowledge of the discussions" as saying: "When people find out what the money is, they're going to be surprised. It's not about the money."

Right.

Anyway, as a service to the working press, and assuming that Pedro will just be flying first-class to Philly this evening for his big day tomorrow and not traveling on a private jet, he'll probably be arriving on one of these flights:

American Airlines Flight 792 / 1738

Mon 13-Jul Duration: 6hr 40mn

3:30 pm Depart Santo Domingo (SDQ)
Connect in San Juan (Luis Munoz Marin Intl.) Arrive Philadelphia (PHL) 10:10 pm

or:

American Airlines Flight 778 / 1290

Mon 13-Jul Duration: 7hr 59mn

3:25 pm Depart Santo Domingo (SDQ)
Connect in Miami (MIA) Arrive Philadelphia (PHL) 11:24 pm

American Airlines also has a connecting flight [882 /1059 /4189] landing in Philly at 12:15 AM, but do you really see Pedro spending 11 hours in airports today, sitting through two layovers—one in Miami and one in Chicago?

I didn't think so…

"There are no secrets better kept than the secrets that everybody guesses" -- George Bernard Shaw

So, I bet you were wondering what's going on with Pedro Martinez, huh?

"Sources" told John Clark of Philly's NBC affiliate, WCAU-TV, Sunday night that Pedro "may be touching down in Philadelphia Monday to meet with Phillies officials."

And this just in: The economy may be turning around, too.

Where's information like this been coming from? And why? Let's take a look back through the last week or so…

While it was known that Martinez threw for the Phillies' Charlie Kerfeld last Tuesday in a simulated game against the Phillies' Dominican Summer League team, it wasn't until after midnight last night that ESPN reported that the Phillies were the only team watching him on that day.

Martinez came back and threw a second time on Friday under the same clandestine circumstances for Sal Agostinelli, the Phillies' director of international scouting.

Backing up a bit, David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News reported a week ago: "Pedro Martinez is scheduled to throw for scouts, including a member of the Phillies front office, [Tuesday] in the Dominican Republic, club sources said yesterday."

Apparently those "club sources" misled Murphy, allowing him to believe that the very-interested Phillies were just one of a bunch of clubs who were doing their due diligence and peeking in at the quixotic righthander.

Andy Martino of the Inquirer also referred at the time to information obtained "according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation." He continued: "It is not clear exactly where or when they will take a look at Martinez, but indications are it could be in the Dominican Republic [Monday], with other teams also watching."

The Nixon White House couldn't have orchestrated so much confusion, deceit, and uncertainty any better. The question is: Who leaked the incorrect information?

My first guess: Martinez's agent, Fernando Cuza.

Murphy on Thursday, after having spoken directly to Cuza: "[He] said that his client has other options besides the Phillies, but declined to specify how many."

Yeah, if I'm Pedro's agent and I have no other solid offers, I'm going to get it out there that the Phillies are pushing for a deal and see if it doesn't accelerate some other clubs' thinking.

Anyway, SportsCenter this morning is crediting WCAU with reporting that Pedro is on his way to Philadelphia. That's a shift from the original WCAU report.

Martino: "I wouldn’t be shocked if the Phils announced a Pedro signing this week. That is no more than an educated guess, because the front office won’t say anything about this." Of course, actually having been at the ball park, around the team, might help get a finger on the pulse of the situation.

Scott Lauber of the Wilmington News Journal feels the same way: "Call it a hunch (like I said, team officials aren’t talking)." Kudos to Lauber, who was apparently at the park on Saturday and Sunday.

Murphy: No one's heard anything from Murphy since Friday. At all.

Todd Zolecki of mlb.com also took the weekend off, but tweeted this morning: "Pedro Martinez will be in Philadelphia today to take a physical, a source confirmed."

ESPN's late night article referred to this apparently unpublished information they'd acquired last week: "Reports out of the Dominican Republic last week were that he was willing to take a prorated $4 million deal with the Phillies."

Why those reports never surfaced via ESPN last week was not addressed. The only word I heard about dealings back then was Zolecki's Thursday tweet: "Pedro Martinez tells AP his agent is negotiating with the Phillies."

There are no quotes in that uncredited Associated Press story [no by-line] that day in which an anonymous author professed to have heard directly from Martinez himself: "Pedro Martinez says his agent is negotiating with the Philadelphia Phillies." That's all, though: No details.

The Phillies have tried their best to keep all of this under a blanket of secrecy and Phillies-speak. And they have a lot going for them.

ESPN reported incorrect information from Enrique Rojas and Jayson Stark regarding this story, and now it seems as if they sat on putting in writing those "reports out of the Dominican" until today—perhaps out of fear of getting it wrong again.

Philadelphia's major metro dailies have simply regurgitated info that appears to have been intentionally leaked to them or that they read on-line, but when push comes to shove, they have nothing since their beat writers and baseball columnists didn't attend the weekend series in Philly versus the Pirates.

Jon Heyman of si.com wrote on Sunday: "Philly looks like the favorite [to sign Pedro], followed by Texas."

"Looks like" is pretty loosey-goosey reporting. My guess is that it only "looks like" that to Heyman. There's no buzz about Martinez around the Rangers that I can detect. Then again, there isn't much buzz about the Rangers at all. They have no mlb.com blog that I can find: Its last entry was posted on March 10, 2009.

Now, maybe Cuza has orchestrated all of this Philadelphia news to provide a smokescreen under which he can fly into Arlington and sign Pedro with the Rangers unimpeded, having bolstered TEXAS'S exas's offer using Philadelphia as a wedge. Other agents, notably Gary Sheffield's agent, Rufus Williams, have used the Phillies as a bargaining chip. Nomar Garciaparra and Randy Wolf also have used the Phils to drive up offers from West Coast clubs.

But I doubt that. The Rangers recently borrowed up $15 million dollars from Major League Baseball amid rumors that they might not have made payroll otherwise. I'd be stunned if MLB lent that money so that they could overspend on Martinez in a bad economy.

Anyway, Cuza would still want everyone to think that there's plenty of interest in his client to drive up the price.

The Phillies' front office would probably also want fans to think the Phillies were just another club among a cluster of teams (à la Freddy Garcia last year) who would yawn their way through Martinez's Tuesday session. That way, there'd be no backlash of disappointment and talk radio castigation if the team didn't end up signing a former All-Star.

Once it was established by both sides that there were plenty of other teams interested, the only team with actual interest right now, The Fightin' Phils, set up those simulated games against one of its own minor league teams for an intimate, private audition.

There's no way Cuza alerts John Clark, the weekend sports guy at WCAU, all the wayt from the Dominican Republic at 11:22 pm last night—just in time for Sunday night's sports report, so let's eliminate him as the source here. That report had to come from someone in Philly.

And someone apparently outright lied to ESPN Deportes's Rojas about GM Ruben Amaro flying to the Dominican to see Pedro throw on Friday.

Someone also lied to Mario Rojas of CandelaDeportiva.com, who broke the story that Pedro had already signed with the Phillies on Thursday.

And does a scoop like an interview with Pedro himself on Thursday merit an AP article with no by-line from the reporter who broke the news that the Phils were in negotiations with Cuza and Martinez even before Friday's throwing session? Why does future Hall of Famer like Pedro talk to a 'nobody' from the AP?

Something sure smells fishy in all of this.

And regarding sources and confirmations, this just in from Zolecki: "Pedro might not take his physical until tomorrow. Regardless, if he passes, expect a deal struck. An announcement could come Wed or Thu."

Heyman, minutes ago: "pedro marriage with #phils 'seems inevitable,' say folks familiar with talks. could arrive tuesday for philly physical"

Might. Could. Expect a deal. Inevitable.

Maybe…

Right now, this foot-dragging part of the deal might be Martinez trying to assert some sort of control over a situation in which he's had few options if he wants to pitch this season for a decent team.

The Philly papers have enabling the news blackout by basically napping on all of this.

Nice coverage, boys.

Sheesh…

"The damage done in one year can sometimes take ten or twenty years to repair" -- Chinua Achebe

Just thinking out loud: Would Phillies fans everywhere be holding their breaths in anticipation of acquiring a "horse" for the starting rotation if Cole Hamels was pitching anywhere like the ace he'd become last October?

According to Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee: "[Cole's] lost feel for his changeup."

Maybe I stand alone in this belief, but getting that change-up fixed and Hamels back on track would go one helluva long way towards meeting the Phillies' starting pitching needs.