Pedro confirms he’s a Met
NEW YORK (AP) – Pedro Martinez confirmed Tuesday that he has agreed to join the New York Mets. “I only hope to honor my contract and to fulfill the expectations,” Martinez said on television in the Dominican Republic.
“We got what we wanted. The team and I are happy with everything.”
Martinez’s agent, Fernando Cuza, told the Mets on Monday that he would attempt to work out a deal with them after New York guaranteed a fourth year, a person involved in the talks said on condition of anonymity.
The deal for the pitcher who helped Boston win the World Series will be worth more than $50 million.
Martinez said the sides still must determine the distribution of the money, and that he needs to pass a physical.
Four agreements were finalized Tuesday: third baseman Corey Koskie and Minnesota ($17 million for three years); left-hander David Wells and Boston ($8 million for two years), second baseman Jose Hernandez and Cleveland ($1.8 million for one year) and shortstop Royce Clayton and Arizona (about $1.3 million for one year).
Richie Sexson and Seattle appeared to be working their way toward a deal, but the first baseman’s agent, Casey Close, said Baltimore was still in the hunt.
The agent for Carlos Delgado, another first baseman, held preliminary talks with the Yankees and was speaking to the Mariners, who told an agent they might try to sign both Sexson and Delgado.
The White Sox traded slugger Carlos Lee to Milwaukee for speedy outfielder Scott Podsednik, reliever Luis Vizcaino and a player to be named. Four free-agent agreements also were announced, topped by catcher Mike Matheny’s $10.5 million, three-year deal with San Francisco.
Right-hander Esteban Yan agreed to a $2.25 million, two-year contract with Anaheim, right-hander Todd Jones finalized a $1.1 million, one-year deal with Florida and outfielder Wil Cordero got a $600,000, one-year contract from the Washington-bound Expos, who also agreed to a minor league deal with outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds.