[Dead Rumor] Pedro Martinez nearing a contract with Houston

[missionhockey21]

Per Rotoworld per Baseball Prospectus:

The Astros are "on the verge of signing" Pedro Martinez, according to Baseball Prospectus.

The Astros don't figure to be contenders this season, but their quest for two future Hall of Famers in one week indicates delusions of grandeur. Still, even as a shadow of his former self, Pedro would slot in nicely with Wandy Rodriguez behind Roy Oswalt. More importantly, it would push Brian Moehler and Mike Hampton down the rotational pecking order.

Perhaps the Astros were reading S3F, or hell, just looking at their rotation depth chart. If they sign Pedro and Hampton, and both stay healthy (big ifs) they could certainly be quite a surprising team given their lineup. Plus a team with star power like that would have to be good for the gates.

[missionhockey21]

Astros GM Ed Wade has crushed this rumor. He stated the Astros haven't even contacted Pedro. I wonder who was BP's source?

[catman]

Pedro is asking for a lot of money for one season. I'm not sure anyone will be interested, or desperate enough, to meet his demands.

[catman]

Here is a followup story from Baseball Prospectus: Baseball Prospectus | Unfiltered

[love_that_reefer]

Houston needs all the pitching they can get so this rumor would have made some sense if it were true. Houston now needs a third baseman.

[realmofotalk]

Houston needs a third baseman, why?
Oh, that's right, the geniuses declined to offer Ty Wigginton a contract.

[love_that_reefer]

And Aaron Boone needs a heart.

[Kingdom]

They should just run with Chris Johnson.

[love_that_reefer]

Johnson has to show he can play with the big boys first. So far this spring, he hasn't.

[Kingdom]

The way Houston has played in the spring, the entire team doesn't belong with the big boys.

[realmofotalk]

C'mon now, they still have Darin Erstad, Latroy Hawkins, and Mike Hampton. They are superstars!!

[Kingdom]

I would completely agree with this if it was 1997 or 1998.