[EmpireWF]

Breaking news during the Mets game, it was reported that Pedro Martinez's left calf has a torn tendon (or muscle, one of the two). Originally, it was his right calf which was a problem but now it's his left. Surgery is not required but he will have to wear a boot and won't be able to pitch for 4-6 weeks.

He won't be available AT ALL for the post-season...his season is done.

Now it appears John Maine will indeed get a start in the NLDS.

[MJHMarc]

A tragic end to an average season.

See you next year, Pedro.

This totally messes up the Mets' odds in the post-season.

[legend]

I just don't see the big deal here. Pedro showed he had nothing in his last three starts, he has contributed next to nothing the entire season, and now that he is gone the Mets are in trouble? The National League is a joke, and the Mets are going to be able to pound their way into the World Series, which you can usually not do, but they will. Boston hasn't done much right since the Series triumph, but not giving Pedro a big four year deal was one they got right on the nose.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by legend

I just don't see the big deal here. Pedro showed he had nothing in his last three starts, he has contributed next to nothing the entire season, and now that he is gone the Mets are in trouble? The National League is a joke, and the Mets are going to be able to pound their way into the World Series, which you can usually not do, but they will. Boston hasn't done much right since the Series triumph, but not giving Pedro a big four year deal was one they got right on the nose.

I think it's a pretty big deal actually. It's not always that easy to pound your way into the World Series. During the season, there's enough crummy pitchers to outhit teams but let's say the Astros make it in and they have to face Oswalt, Clemens and Petitte? The Mets knew when they signed Pedro that this was a possibility. He's always banged up. Glavine has to come up big in this series.

[legend]

Clemens throw six innings, Pettite is a .500 pitcher, and Oswalt is a Cy Young candidate. if the Astros rotation is so fearsome, why are they barely at .500 after a nine game winning streak?

[Lefty Noob]

I heard on Mike & Mike this morning that since Clemens started pitching - sometime in June, I believe, but I can't remember the exact date - he has the lowest ERA in baseball (from then to now, that is, not overall). They seemed might impressed by that, but he only threw half a season and just 6 innings a game. Of course his ERA's going to be the lowest, because his arm is the freshest, because he's thrown so little.

[MJHMarc]

6 innings a game isn't horrible, Lefty Noob.

But if you a paying a guy that much money he should pitch close to 12!

[legend]

Last night, when the Astros needed to win, Clemens pitched well enough to, but lost. They didn't score for him at all and now cannot afford another defeat. Clemens went, surprise, six innings.

[MJHMarc]

I don't know why but I can see him making a miraculous comeback to the mound next season.

He still has enough gas left in his tank.

[EmpireWF]

If any of the pitchers for the Mets in the post-season don't go 7 innings, it shouldn't be a big hurt (no, not Frank Thomas). The Mets bullpen has been pretty good over the year and now Guillermo Mota has stepped up. Heilman, Mota and Wagner should do well.

[EmpireWF]

Breaking news from earlier in the afternoon. Pedro Martinez has a torn rotator cuff and will undergo surgery this week. The time table is expected to be at least 8 months. That pretty much means he'll miss the first half of the 2007 season.

[MJHMarc]

He missed the second half of the 2006 season.

Not a problem, if we acquire Zito during the off-season.

Forget about Pedro!

[Lefty Noob]

Man, I'm stunned he's intending on coming back. With a torn rotator cuff, my initial reaction was that he was done. But Pedro already had the surgery, from what I heard earlier, and fully intends to return as soon as possible. Anyone else surprised by that decision?

[EmpireWF]

No question he's going to come back some time next year Lefty. He has too much invested in this current deal (which no matter what, will always be a great deal for the Mets). Being an older guy, it will take a tougher road to get healed from the rotator cuff surgery, but Pedro's willing.

But this does pose an interesting question for GM Omar Minaya. Is now mandatory that you go after Barry Zito? And doesn't this put the Mets in between a rock and a hardplace as far as negotiations go? Scott Boras will know he can raise the price if the Mets are forced to go after a starter.

Really, the only known guys who will be in the rotation opening day are El Duque and John Maine. Glavine has that weird mutual option clause. Steve Trachsel, who knows with him. Perhaps Brian Bannister, Mike Pelfrey, Phil Humber and Oliver Perez battle for the spots. Even Orlando Hernandez is a free agent but the Mets would be crazy not to keep him.