Theo Epstein/Pedro Martinez

Now that Pedro Martinez has been ruled out of pitching in the postseason, the question is bound to arise abouth whether or not Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein made the right choice to allow Martinez (as well as Derek Lowe) to leave Boston after winning the 2004 World Series. I am on record as supporting Epstein's move with Martinez. It was obvious that he was nearing the end to his Hall of Fame career due to the injuries he had accumulated. He was bound to break down, Theo and Red Sox management knew this so they didn't offer him the long, lucrative contract he wanted. Instead, they offered a shorter deal, which was trumped by the offer (4-years, $54-million) that the New York Mets and their GM, Omar Minaya, made. The decision on Pedro seemed to backfire on the Sox last year. They were desperate for one more top flight starter and with his '05 success in Queens (15-8, 2.82 ERA, 4 CG, 217 IP, 208 K's), the Epstein critics had some bullets to fire at Yawkey Way. Still, the move to the National League definitely improved Pedro's numbers and the Sox still made the playoffs, losing to the eventual World Series champion White Sox. Pedro's physical problems and disappointing 2006 (9-8, 4.48, 0 CG, 132.2 IP, 137 K's) gives further evidence that the Red Sox made a wise choice in allowing Martinez to walk after 2004. Even considering the impossible to calculate effect Pedro had on making the Mets "count" in New York after a decade of Yankee dominance, Pedro still has just 24 wins to show for $27-million (half of the total contract). And he will not be there for his team -- because of an injury, not because he's just disappearing -- when they need him most. However, Epstein does not get off the hot seat just yet. In replacing Martinez (and Derek Lowe) he brought in David Wells, who was solid when healthy in his one and a half seasons with the Sox, and the uber-disappointing Matt Clement, who is softer than melted soft serve ice cream and is more injury prone than Martinez himself. This is almost like the chicken or the egg question now. Yes, Theo decided right that Martinez was past his prime. But, his replacements have not come as advertised. Theo's free pass expires this winter -- he must bring in the necessary pitching to make this team a World Series contender again. If not, the architect of the 2004 Champs will be feeling the heat.