Pedro, Halladay, Victorino, and Other Philadelphia Phillies News

For the past several days, Ruben Amaro and the Phillies have been in close contact with free agent pitcher Pedro Martinez. The team is reportedly close to a deal that would put Pedro in a Phillies uniform as the club's fifth starter.   The fireballing right hander isn't what he used to be—a future Hall of Famer with three Cy Young awards, eight All-Star selections, and four ERA titles. He is on his last life as a starting pitcher.   Maybe even past his last life.   In limited action last season for the Mets, Pedro posted a 5.61 ERA and new career worsts in home runs per nine innings (1.6), strikeouts per nine innings (7.2), base runners per inning (1.5), and adjusted ERA (75).   His velocity of his fastball—a pitch that hit in the upper 90s a decade ago—is down to 91 or so, according to reports from the Phillies' front office who watched him throw a few simulated innings on Tuesday.   Martinez has started just 25 games...