For Pedro, rest is best: the Mets view Pedro Martinez the way an art museum curator views a prized sculpture—as a precious commodity that must be handled with care

Ken Rosenthal

Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson sat in his apartment in Florida just before the start of spring training, mapping out pitching rotations, driving himself nuts.

His goal was to give righthander Pedro Martinez extra rest between starts as often as possible while enabling the Mets' other top pitcher, lefty Tom Glavine, to work on his normal fifth day.

It was a jigsaw puzzle Peterson couldn't solve.

"Dad, you all right?" one of his children asked one night as Peterson stared out at the sunset.

"Just give me a couple of minutes. I've got to look at this," Peterson replied.

And then it hit him.

"Geez," Peterson said to himself, "this is it!"

Peterson won't reveal the exact schedule that he deciphered at that instant, but he and the Mets did the smart thing, formulating a plan that will give Martinez the best possible chance to succeed.

Such a move might seem obvious for a team that has invested $54 million in a 33-year-old pitcher with a slight build and a history of arm trouble. But even though Martinez's previous team, the Red Sox, tried to get him extra rest whenever possible, it didn't completely restructure its rotation for him.

The Mets did.

"He's probably going to have the most optimal schedule, looking at what he's done the last few years, to suit his specific needs," Peterson says. "It's going to be very conducive to what makes Pedro best."

The value of extra rest to Martinez became obvious last season when he posted a 4.77 ERA in 17 starts on the standard four days rest and a 2.98 ERA in 16 starts on five or more days of rest.

Martinez figures to make about half as many starts on normal rest this season. Yet, the Mets have arranged their rotation in a way that still should allow him to match his career high of 33 starts.

In his first five outings, Martinez worked on normal rest twice and on five or more days rest three times. That's quite a contrast from last season--beginning with his third start, he pitched six of seven games on four days rest. Although his ERA after that stretch last year was a solid 3.75, the Mets plan to avoid bunching his starts on normal rest.

The team studied Martinez's performances on different rest patterns over the past several seasons--how he fared on back-to-back starts with four days rest, on five days rest after four days rest, etc. His ERA on normal rest last season was skewed by poor performances in his final three starts, when he likely was tired. But even taking away those games--two of which were against his daddy, the Yankees--Martinez's ERA was almost one run better on extended rest.

Martinez deflects the issue, saying, "I'm just here to pitch." But Peterson's schedule almost certainly will play a role if Martinez rebounds from his career-worst 3.90 ERA last season. If he doesn't, Martinez's decline probably would have been irreversible, anyway. Based on his strong early showing, he looks as if he has plenty left.

TSN's Closer, Todd Jones, talks baseball with Tim Brando every Tuesday on Sporting News Radio. The Tim Brando Show airs weekdays, 3-5 p.m. ET.

speed reads

It's about time commissioner Bud Selig backed the players union into a corner over its reluctance to accept tougher drug testing. The penalties proposed by Selig would be far more of a deterrent than those currently in place. Union officials might bristle, but it will be difficult for them to justify opposing-the wishes of fans, Congress and, most important, their own members.

Curt Schilling might have a point about Devil Rays manager Lou Piniella, but the Red Sox share responsibility for the escalation of knockdown pitches between the teams. If, as Schilling says, a Rays player called Piniella an "idiot," citing him as the reason the team loses 100 games, that player is clueless. Piniella is the reason the Rays don't lose 120.

The Blue Jays obviously had doubts about hitting coach Mike Barnett entering the season or they would not have fired him after only 20 games. Rather than give the impression of a knee-jerk reaction, they should have made the change in the offseason. That way, they could have searched for the best coach available.

INSIDE DISH

Astros 1B Jeff Bagwell is showing improvement at the plate, but his arthritic right shoulder remains a major concern. Bagwell, who will turn 37 on May 27, eventually could end up like Albert Belle, finishing his career with a prolonged stretch on the D.L. The Astros are believed to have insurance on his contract, but they likely would not collect any money in his first season of inactivity. Bagwell is guaranteed $15 million this season and $17 million next season, plus a $7 million buyout if his option is not exercised for 2007. * The uncertain future of Cubs SS Nomar Garciaparra could benefit the Braves' Rafael Furcal, who looms as the most attractive free-agent shortstop in next winter's market. The Braves are unlikely to resign Furcal with Tony Pena Jr. nearly ready at Class AAA, and the Cubs, Mariners and Diamondbacks are among the teams that could pursue shortstops. Furcal also would be an option for teams looking for a second baseman. He plays second every winter for Escogido in his native Domincan Republic, leaving short to the more veteran Neifi Perez. * The Royals are such a mess, one scout says, "I almost think they're lost." Another adds sarcastically, "If they win 50 games, it's a great year." Two decisions, in particular, appeared shortsighted: The demotion of 1B/DH Calvin Pickering after only 27 at-bats and the promotion of RHP Ambiorix Burgos to closer in his first season above Class A. It should not have been surprising that Pickering, 28, pressed in his first legitimate major league opportunity. Burgos, 21, possesses an electric arm, but the Royals could retard his development by thrusting him into such a high-pressure role. It seems inevitable the team will trade 1B/DH Mike Sweeney, but his deficiencies at first base almost certainly will eliminate any N.L. interest. * The Indians' signing LHP C.C. Sabathia and DH Travis Harrier to below-market contract extensions reflects the strong relationships G.M. Mark Shapiro builds with players, one agent says. "If other G.M.s were like Mark, they would save a lot of money," the agent says. "He gets close with these guys." Sabathia signed a two-year, $17.75 million extension and Hafner a three-year, $7 million extension. Sabathia, who might have headed a thin free-agent pitching class after the 2006 season, still could become a free agent at age 28. * Mariners rookie Jeremy Reed is the latest evidence that a player doesn't need blazing speed to be effective in center field. Angels bench coach Joe Maddon compares him to Cardinals CF Jim Edmonds, a former Angel. "He's got a knack for running great Routes," Maddon says. "When the ball goes off the bat, he gets in a straight line running quickly. You never see his first step" Reed plays shallow and is adept at going back on balls. * It's baffling when teams fail to exploit advantageous situations, whether it's running against Mets C Mike Piazza, who began the week 1-for-21 in throwing out attempted basestealers, or bunting against a corner infielder who is playing out of position. White Sox C Chris Widger made his major league debut at third base last week after the Sox lost two infielders to injuries during a night game in Oakland and could not adjust their roster in time for a game against the A's the next afternoon. Not once did the A's attempt to bunt for a base hit, according to a scout who attended the game.

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Baseball is a crazy game, Chapter 1,462:

Needing to add two starting pitchers in the offseason, Orioles co-general managers Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan failed to land even one. Yet, in the opinion of one scout who spent the first month tracking the American League East, the Orioles--not the Red Sox or the Yankees--are the division's best team.

"If Beattie and Flanagan don't get a pitcher before the trade deadline, they ought to be ashamed of themselves," the scout says. "They might have to overpay, but they've got to do it. They've got a chance to do something big."

Surprising words, considering the Orioles are coming off seven straight losing seasons and an off-season in which their only major acquisition was right fielder Sammy Sosa. But the Yankees' and Red Sox's early struggles have created an opening. The Orioles are a combined 7-3 against those teams.

"I like them a lot," an A.L.G.M. says. "(Rodrigo) Lopez and (Erik) Bedard are very underrated--a legitimate top-of-the-rotation pair. Their bullpen is quite usable, with solid matchup guys from both sides plus an excellent closer in (B.J.) Ryan. The offense, defense and baserunning are pluses"

Adds Yankees manager Joe Torre: "They're going to score runs, no doubt. If you make a couple of mistakes, they're going to come at you and never stop. They don't need to be picture-perfect, pitchingwise. If they can pitch with any kind of consistency, they're not going to go away."

A big if, but pitching coach Ray Miller is working wonders, and the Orioles are certain to continue their pursuit of a top-of-the-rotation starter. They can offer first baseman Jay Gibbons and reliever Jorge Julio, and they have prospects to spare. But their options could be limited, in part because of the game's increased parity. Most of the top eligible free agents pitch for contenders.

Then again, several expected buyers might turn into sellers, creating unanticipated opportunities.

The Orioles are on top. The world is upside-down.

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