Although Pedro is having as much fun as he had in 2004, when he was a part of the Red Sox first World Championship since 1918, he does feel bad for the Mets, telling Brian Costa of the Star Ledger:

"I feel horrible for the guys, the players...I feel bad for the city, I feel bad for the fans. Everybody has ups and downs. The Mets had three pretty good years. We had a lot of talent, a lot of support, we let them down, and now this year, the health hasn't been there. This year I thought they had everything they needed."

Martinez told reporters at Citizens Bank Park:

"I was hoping the Mets would make a move...and they didn't, so I decided to wait. It wasn't my decision to not be in New York. It was someone else's."

The press conference is scheduled for 12:00 pm EDT today.

Update, 1:45 p.m. by Regis Courtemanche:

The Phillies will place Pedro Martinez on the 15-day disabled list with a mild shoulder strain.

...I wonder if he will be any impact at all for the Phillies after seeing this...

?now that this is out there, it usually only takes a matter of time for the likes of Ken Rosenthal, Buster Olney, Jon Heyman, etc., to either confirm or deny the report?

?but, from what i can gather, the Phillies are dishing out no comments, suggesting there might be truth to this, and they?re just waiting to make an announcement?

Last week on SI.com, Jon Heyman listed the Mets behind the Cubs, Angels, Dodgers and Rays as teams who are likely to sign Pedro Martinez.

However, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times believes, though the Angels scouted Martinez last Friday, they have ‘no interest’ in pursuing him due to ‘baseball reasons, not financial ones.’

According to Shaikin, citing baseball sources, “Martinez's fastball was clocked most often in the 85-mph range.”

According to Gordon Edes of Yahoo! Sports, the Yankees, Rays, Cubs and Dodgers plan to watch Pedro Martinez throw in the Dominican Republic tomorrow.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes the Rays were looking to Martinez to be a relief pitcher, then explains why this is not likely to happen.

Meanwhile, in the Chicago Sun-Times, Gordon Wittenmyer explains why it is unlikely Martinez will end up with the Cubs, who do have interest.

According to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, “Pedro Martinez has been working out six days a week in the Dominican Republic… with scouts from major league teams stopping by to take looks.”

Silverman believes, if Martinez is able to sign a deal with a new team by the end of this month, he’ll be ready right after the All-Star break.

…it’s so tempting… in my heart, it’s not the right move for the Mets… i have no problem with what he’ll want as a contract, or what i think he’ll deliver in terms of results… my concern is Omar Minaya may lack the guts to cut martinez if he is struggling… is he capable of looking pedro in the eye and telling him to beat it… it’s one thing to just not re-sign him as a free agent… it’s a whole other thing to actually cut him… and, the last thing the Mets need is for pedro, and all his pomp and circumstance, and all his legacy, and reputation, etc., to stink, and then, in the middle of a pennant race, omar must babysit his ego at the expense of the rotation… on the other hand, if he pitches well, how great of a show would that be… the return of pedro… like i said, it’s tempting…

Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com believes free-agent Pedro Martinez could sign a new contract within two weeks.

According to Rosenthal, “Interest in the free-agent right-hander has intensified.”

…the Angels, Dodgers, Nationals and Rangers have all been linked in rumor to pedro…

In a report for ESPN.com, Jerry Crasnick takes a look at 11 remaining free agents, including Pedro Martinez and Ben Sheets.

According to Crasnick, Martinez is still waiting for the perfect opportunity to return to action, while Sheets still remains several weeks away from beginning a throwing program, in follow up to off-season elbow surgery.

Crasnick points out that a team singing Sheets must still surrender compensatory draft picks; however, compensation is not required if he is signed after the June draft.

Tyler Kepner of the New York Times writes a preview of the National League, pointing out, “The Phillies lost no games they led after eight innings last season, and the Mets lost seven.”

The Brooklyn Met Fan explains why the Mets should ask David Wright, Edgardo Alfonzo, Keith Hernandez and Ed Kranepool to join Mike Piazza and Tom Seaver in throwing out the first pitch in Citi Field.

According to the Washington Post, free-agent Pedro Martinez is still insisting on a one-year, $6 million contract.

Glavine replied that "you have to be mindful what the market is", and that he didn't want to become a burden to his team if he became injured.

On Thursday, Jon Heyman of SI.com reported that the Mets may have offered Martinez $1-2 million, plus incentives.

Jon Heyman of SI.com believes the Mets made free-agent RHP Pedro Martinez an offer that's well below his $5 million minimum asking price.

“I can assure you, we are not paying him $5 million,” a Mets person told Heyman.

Heyman believes the Mets offered Martinez $1-2 million, plus incentives.

Later, Freddy Garcia allowed five runs on seven hits in two innings pitched, raising his spring ERA to 16.71.

According to Adam Rubin of the Daily News, ?Mets officials appear to be seriously weighing the release of pre-camp favorite Freddy Garcia.?

...added to by Matthew Cerrone...

?i still get the sense Pedro Martinez will end up with the Dodgers? it has been the best fit for him since they lost Derek Lowe and Greg Maddux, and it remains a good fit today?

Update, 1:55 pm:

In his most recent report for SI.com, Jon Heyman believes Pedro Martinez will end up choosing between the Dodgers and Mets, though both teams are only interested at their price.

According to Heyman, “GM Omar Minaya does love Pedro, and more important, the Mets don't love their No. 5 starting options right now.”

‘The Mets are among the teams that have begun to request financial requirements for Pedro Martinez,’ explains Steve Popper in the Bergen Record, while citing one person familiar with the discussions.

Jon Heyman of SI.com believes the Mets, Pirates, Dodgers and Indians, as well as a couple of other teams, are interested in Martinez.

…i don’t doubt that… they should be interested… the thing is, are the interested at his price…

Andrew Marchand of 1050 ESPN Radio talked with a GM who believes Pedro Martinez could receive an offer similar to Tom Glavine's, i.e., a $1 million base with a $2 million more in incentives.

The GM does not tell Marchand of a specific team with interest.

Yesterday, Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com said Martinez is still seeking a guaranteed, one-year contract worth $5 million, plus incentives.

Freddy Garcia will pitch for the Mets today against the Tigers in Lakeland at 1 pm.

Garcia let up five hits and four walks in his previous two appearances, during which he has a 20.25 ERA.

Last night, Tim Redding let up nine runs in two innings against the Marlins.

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti admits he is curious about Pedro Martinez, according to Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times.

Plaschke adds, “The two biggest fears about Martinez are the lack of interest by the pitching-needy Mets, and his interest in a guaranteed $5-million deal.”

…i have always felt pedro would end up with the Dodgers… it’s symmetrical, and they are probably in need of his presence, having lost veterans Greg Maddux and Derek Lowe, with such a young staff…

J.J. Putz hit 95 mph on the radar gun during his first game in the World Baseball Classic, reports Anthony McCarron in the Daily News.

In a report for MLB.com, Marty Noble profiles Jose Valentin, who he feels is most likely to start the season at Triple-A.

…it’s the right move… valentin can go to Triple-A, and wait and see how the Mets bench shakes out through April and May, while working with the team’s minor leaguers like a coach… then, come mid summer, both sides can re-evaluate…

Yesterday, the Netherlands eliminated the Dominican Republic in Round 1 of the World Baseball Classic.

During the game, Pedro Martinez pitched three more scoreless innings, while striking out two more batters.

…he did look good… he was hitting 92 mph, but his fastball looked a lot quicker, as it had the old-school tail on it…

Buster Olney of ESPN.com believes there is ‘no chance’ the Mets signed Pedro Martinez.

In a post to their spring training blog, ESPN writes, “The source said that the reasoning is not financial, but based on concerns about Martinez's pitching command.”

Earlier today, Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com said Martinez is still seeking a guaranteed contract, similar to what John Smoltz signed with the Red Sox, i.e., one year, $5.5 million guaranteed and another $5 million in incentives.

Pedro Martinez is quoted by the Daily News as saying he would like to return to the Mets, “but I'm not going to go chasing the Mets.”

“I have my goals and I have my things that I want to achieve in life,” Martinez said.  “If it's not with the Mets, it will be with someone else.  But if they want a fifth starter who's been there - I don't know how much they want me - I'm available.”

Jerry Manuel, on Martinez, while talking to reporters following today’s game in St. Lucie, said:

Brandon Knight will get Mike Pelfrey's start today against the Orioles, in a game that will be televised on SNY.

In three appearances, Livan Hernandez has let up four earned runs, nine hits and three walks, with three strike outs, in 7.2 innings pitched.

Jon Niese has given up four runs, four hits, four walks and struck out four in four innings through two starts.

Yesterday, free-agent RHP Pedro Martinez pitched two innings and allowed two runs, three hits and one walk with two strikeouts against the Orioles while pitching for the Dominican Republic.

Following the game, Martinez told reporters that he is healthy and feels ‘great.’

According to Newsday, “His fastball reached 91 mph on a scout's radar gun.”

Pedro Martinez talked yesterday with reporters in Jupiter, Fla, and said he wants to pitch in 2009, adding he would be a ‘bargain,’ despite wanting more than a low-base, high-incentive contract.

Martinez will play with Jose Reyes in the WBC for the Dominican Republic.

Martinez, on being healthy and whether he may pitch again for the Mets, said:

According to Heyman, Jones recently rejected an offer to join the Yankees as a non-roster invitee.

In the article, Heyman also discusses why the Dodgers should sign Pedro Martinez, writing:

According to reports from yesterday, Mets GM Omar Minaya met with Pedro Martinez in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday.

However, Newsday writes, “It was more of a courtesy to Martinez than a big sit-down to talk contract… Minaya was in the Dominican Republic on a prearranged scouting trip,” according to a person familiar with the situation.

Minaya told Newsday in an e-mail yesterday that he has was simply keeping in touch with Martinez, while adding there is nothing new to report on negotiations with free-agent RHP Oliver Perez.

Mets GM Omar Minaya told the Associated Press yesterday that he is still interested in re-signing Pedro Martinez.

According to the report, “Martinez said over the weekend he had not received offers from any Major League teams, but he said he was training hard for the 2009 season.”

Yesterday, in a report for SI.com, Jon Heyman said Minaya will look to re-sign Martinez, ‘once the Oliver Perez situation is resolved.’

In a report for FoxSports.com, Ken Rosenthal says rival executives list the following problems for Oliver Perez:

“He had the lowest groundball percentage in the National League last season… His walk rate was the third highest in the league after Barry Zito and Ian Snell… And he has yet to pitch 200 innings in a season.”

Last night, on SNY’s Mets Hot Stove, Mets GM Omar Minaya had the following to say, when asked if Perez was his number one target from the current free-agent pitcher’s market:

Yesterday, during a conference call with reporters, Omar Minaya suggested the Mets will only look to sign free-agent Pedro Martinez if he is unable to acquire free-agent RHP Derek Lowe or Oliver Perez, adding:

“Pedro’s one of the guys that is still under consideration – but right now, the way it is, we’re dealing with some other guys… Is he an option?  He’s in the pool - but that’s where he falls right now.  We’re in a position that, with the guys that are out there, the guys we are looking at, if we add one of those guys on the list, we feel real good going into the year.”

…i believe pedro can find more than a minor-league contract…and so, if the Mets end up with either Derek Lowe, Randy Wolf or Oliver Perez, i just don’t see how pedro fits in…i know omar has a great respect, appreciation and loyalty to pedro, but with Tim Redding and Jon Niese in the mix, there is no reason to sign pedro to a guaranteed deal…

On Saturday, Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes wrote, “Pedro Martinez and the Florida Marlins are believed to be in the beginning stages of negotiating a contract and could meet next week,” according to a source.

However, yesterday, the Miami Herald and the Sun-Sentinel both say the Marlins are not interested, with the Herald suggesting Martinez may have contacted them, because they were his ‘first choice.’

“Martinez could still be an option for the Mets, though the addition of Tim Redding could present an obstacle,” writes Anthony McCarron in the Daily News.

In an exclusive interview with the New York Post, Pedro Martinez said he's open to pitching for any team, ‘but the Mets are far and away his first choice.’

According to Ken Davidoff in Newsday, signing Martinez to a low base salary with incentives is still an option.

“I went over to the Mets with something in mind, to win a World Series in the National League, and I haven't achieved that,” Martinez tells the Post.

According to the New York Post, Omar Minaya is expected to speak with Pedro Martinez’s agent next week.

The Post believes Martinez could be open to an incentive-heavy, one-year contract to return to the Mets.

Last night on the MLB Network’s Hot Stove Live, SI.com’s Tom Verducci said Martinez recently rejected a one-year, $7 million offer from an American League team.

Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times believes two teams, one from each league, are interested in Pedro Martinez.

From what I can gather, the Mets still have interest in Martinez, and are probably the lone National League team.

I believe Omar Minaya is sincere when he says publicly that his team would bring Martinez back to Queens.  However, in either case, I sense Minaya is only willing to guarantee a one-year deal – similar to the incentive-filled contract that Brad Penny signed with the Red Sox.

However, they did not offer arbitration to Luis Ayala and Moises Alou.

?as i said this morning, perez did not accept arbitration for one season, because he will certainly sign a multi-year deal, be it with the Mets or with another team?however, by offering it,?if he signs with another team, the Mets will now receive two compensatory draft picks?

Tonight, at midnight, is the deadline for teams to offer arbitration to their own free agents, who have until next Sunday, Dec. 7, to accept it.

Teams can continue to negotiate with their own free agents, regardless of whether the player accepts arbitration.

According to Ken Davidoff in Newsday, while the Mets are likely to offer salary arbitration to free-agent Oliver Perez, they will probably not do so with free-agent Pedro Martinez, according to multiple industry sources.

Pedro Martinez will pitch in 2009, reports  Jon Heyman at SI.com and Adam Rubin in the Daily News, both citing the player’s agent, Fern Cuza.

According to Heyman, ‘Multiple teams already have checked in about Martinez,’ says Cuza, who added:

“I think the Mets are a possibility.  They know him better than most… They know the condition he's in.  They know about the personal problems that affected him last year.  When Pedro's healthy, he's one of the best, and he's healthy.”

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WFAN’s Mike Francesa says he talked with Mets GM Omar Minaya earlier today.

According to Minaya, per Francesa, the Mets intend to use all of their money on pitching, pitching and more pitching this off-season.

The Mets are interested in Francisco Rodriguez, but not for five years, as well as Brian Fuentes and Kerry Wood, and they like White Sox RHP Bobby Jenks, M’s RHP J.J. Putz, and Rockies RHP Huston Street, Minaya told Francesa.

?Hey Matthew how come nobody's is talking about making pedro next year closer.?

As for having the necessary mentality, I?m not so sure about that.

Free agents can negotiate and sign with other teams starting on November 14.

In a recent report for MLB.com, Marty Noble says the Mets will entertain re-signing Perez, ?so long as the asking price of agent Scott Boras is what the club considers reasonable.?

The Mets may need to acquire a new crop of players, because I anticipate them cutting ties with several familiar names from the last few seasons.

And so, having talked with people in touch with the team’s thinking, my sense is that they do not intend to sink all of their available off-season money in to just one top-flight free agent.

Instead, I anticipate trades, as well as one or two mid-level free agent signings to help round out the roster.