From Ken Rosenthal:
The Cubs and Rays are not the only teams in contact with free-agent right-hander Pedro Martinez.
Those clubs, plus the Yankees and Angels, will watch Martinez throw on Friday in the Dominican Republic, according to major-league sources.
However, each of those teams is downplaying its interest in signing Martinez, at least to a major-league contract.
One executive said his club is sending scouts to watch Martinez only as a courtesy to the pitcher's agent, Fernando Cuza.
Most teams currently have scouts in the Dominican checking on amateur talent, and some of those scouts are in a convenient position to look at Martinez.
Martinez, 37, is seeking about $3 million — a pro-rated portion of his original $5 million request — to pitch the rest of the season, one source said.
The interest in Martinez almost certainly would rise if he were willing to sign a minor-league contract. But he has strongly indicated that he will not lower his price.
Meanwhile, none of the four teams that will watch Martinez on Friday considers starting pitching to be its greatest area of need.
The Yankees, too, would benefit more from the addition of a reliever. They believe Chien-Ming Wang made progress in his start against the Nationals on Wednesday night, and currently have an extra starter, righty Phil Hughes, pitching out of the bullpen
THOUGHTS: If the pen was still a major issue then you'd think the Yanks consider it. Pedro would be helpful if he would relieve and sign a minor league deal, but being that he wants to start, and wants $3 million to do so, they'll probably pass up on him.
Original Story:
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