Cubs Show Interest in Pedro Martinez

A certain former Boston Red Sox and New York Mets pitcher has reportedly popped up on the Cubs‘ radar:

"Pedro Martinez recently threw a sideline session for a Rays employee, and it appears as though the Cubs are also showing some interest in the three-time Cy Young Award winner.According to a report on SI.com, citing National League sources, the Cubs have been scouting Martinez as he continues to work out in his native Dominican Republic.Martinez, 37, was linked to several clubs during the offseason, and again after he allowed just one hit in six innings while pitching for the Dominican in the World Baseball Classic in March. However, any interest has been muted by Martinez’s asking price, which is believed to be $5 million for the season."

The Cubs, as the above-quoted article points out, would seem pretty well-stocked in the starting pitching department, especially once Rich Harden returns from the DL, making their interest in Pedro slightly puzzling.  And even if Harden doesn’t manage to stay in the rotation, the staff has been sufficiently solidified by the emergence of Randy Wells that, again, one has to wonder, why Pedro, why now?  Perhaps the Cubs just feel that Pedro, with his big-game experience, would bring certain intangibles to the rotation that a younger guy like Wells doesn’t possess.  And, possibly, they have lost some faith in Harden, given his physical issues.