In an effort to transform their team and win their first World Series since 2009, the New York Yankees are still looking for additional star power this winter. They have been linked to several ace-caliber arms in trade markets and to Blake Snell in free agency, suggesting that starting pitchers are currently at the forefront of their minds. Following Pedro Martinez’s recent admission in an interview with Santiago Matias of Alofoke FM that he wanted to sign with the Yankees, many fans may be left wondering what might have been. Pedro Martinez was once the Yankees’ archrival.
MLB insider Hector Gomez explained, “I asked for a trade three times to play with the New York Yankees.” Martinez was most known for his tenure with the Boston Red Sox. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.
With the Red Sox, the three-time Cy Young champion took home the trophy twice. Throughout his seven years in Boston, he led the American League in strikeouts three times, ERA four times, and several other advanced measures. Furthermore, he was a part of the 2004 World Series winning team that overcame an early 3-0 deficit in the ALCS against the Yankees to win their first championship since 1918 and end the “curse of the Bambino.”
With the Red Sox, Martinez amassed an unbelievable record of 117-37 in 203 appearances and 201 starts, good for an ERA of 2.50 and 1,683 strikeouts in 1,383 2/3 innings thrown.
His seven-year tenure with Boston is regarded as the greatest Major League pitcher run in history. After 2004, he signed a $43 million, four-year contract with the New York Mets, leaving the Red Sox behind. It’s unclear when Martinez may have made these trade requests.
Given his past in the rivalry between New York and Boston, it is improbable that the incident occurred while he was working for the opposition.
Nevertheless, given that one of the all-time great pitchers desired to play for the Yankees, these remarks undoubtedly aggravate the situation.
