Pedro Martinez might test free agency
Star Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez is in the final year of his contract that nets him $17.5 million this year. He has now notified his agent to cease any negotiations with the Red Sox for potentially extending the contract and will now test the free agent waters at the end of the 2004 season. This could be a huge blow for the Red Sox as they compete with the Yankees, Orioles and Blue Jays in the ultra-competitive American League East division. Martinez is apparently ticked off with the Red Sox for unfairly bringing up his shoulder problems during the negotiations to try to bring down his salary or threaten his potential chances with another team. Hey, maybe Pedro Martinez will sign with the Yankees!
MLB player steroid results handed over to the Feds
As part of their BALCO investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation now has access to MLB records of player steroid testing from 2003. This might mean that these records could soon become public (Freedom of Information Act?) and a lot of baseball players could have some egg on their face. The current MLB policies against steroids are so lax that one would have to be a serial abuser to get busted. But if fans found out who might have been on the juice, the game would be in for quite a scandal - a potential disaster.
