Pedro Martinez to Start for Phillies; Alex Rios to White Sox

One of the greatest pitchers in major league history, Pedro Martinez, is returning to the big leagues on Wednesday for the defending World Champion Philadelphia Phillies. He will start for the Phillies against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Martinez during his peak years is actually among the greatest ever. Pedro Martinez 1997-2003 ranks up there with the peak years of all the Hall of Fame greats. His adjusted ERA from 1997-2003 was a staggering 213. Over that stretch, his won-loss record was 118-36, .766 win pct., with 11.3 K/9 vs. 2.0 BB/9, WHIP 0,94.

Look at the comparisons:

Walter Johnson, had a peak with a 197 adjusted ERA and .685 win pct.
Sandy Koufax had a 156 adjusted ERA with 9.4 K/9 vs. 2.3 BB/9.

From age 25 through 31, as a member of the Montreal Expos and Boston Red Sox, Pedro Martinez dominated during a very high scoring era in baseball history. I'll take his peak over all the Hall of Fame greats: Cy Young, Walter Johnson, Lefty Grove, Christy Mathewson, and Sandy Koufax.

Now 37, Martinez is attempting a comeback and the word is that he has great stuff. I expect him to give the Phillies in their starting rotation.

White Sox Pick Up Alex Rios: Horrible Move

Alex Rios is an above average baseball player whose numbers have been declining:

2007 .297 .354 .498, 24 HR, 85 RBI, 122 OPS+
2008 .291 .337 .461, 15 HR, 79 RBI, 111 OPS+
2009 .264 .317 .427, 14 HR, 62 RBI, 94 OPS+

The White Sox are on the hook for the entire seven-year contract that the Blue Jays signed with Alex Rios in April 2008 that guarantees him almost 70 million. He is due $5.9 million this season, $9.7 million in 2010, $12 million in 2011 and 2012 and $12.5 million in 2013 and 2014. That is just stupid money for a guy with a lifetime OPS+ of 104.

Alex Rios has only once hit more than 20 home runs. He will be 33 by the last year of that contract and still making 12 million. I just do not see the reason any team would pay him big money, but especially not a contract through 2014.

He may help the White Sox this year, but GM Ken Williams makes a huge mistake taking on the huge contract of Alex Rios. It was a very short sighted transaction.

Source:

Associated Press, "White Sox Pick Up OF Rios Off Waivers," seattletimes.nwsource.com.