His Price Just Went Up Martinez Collects N.L. Cy Young

Now Pedro Martinez comes with the Cy Young seal of approval.

Martinez, put on the trade market by Montreal immediately after the season, boosted his stature Tuesday by easily beating Greg Maddux and Denny Neagle to win the N.L. Cy Young Award.

Martinez, 17-8 with 305 strikeouts and a major-league best 1.90 ERA, will become the second Cy Young winner dealt in the off-season he won the award. David Cone was traded from Kansas City to Toronto after winning in 1994.

“What I really want is a team that’s going to be in contention and a team that’s going to be able to afford me,” Martinez said. “I will go wherever they send me… . I’ll play anywhere, even in the backyard.”

Montreal, once again looking to cut payroll, says it can’t afford Martinez, eligible for arbitration this winter and for free agency following the 1998 season.

“I’m more sad than mad at them,” Martinez said. “That’s their politics and that’s the way they do things.”

The New York Yankees and Mets have both said they’re interested in Martinez, as are the Cleveland Indians. Many other teams are thought to be in the bidding, which will intensify after the Nov. 18 expansion draft.

“I know New York seems to be tough, and it’s a very fast life that we live there, but once we’re on the field, believe me, I know what to do,” Martinez said.

It’s not clear whether Montreal would make a conditional trade that would give teams a 48- or 72-hour window to sign Martinez to a multi-year deal.

“There are a lot of teams, but not all of them can give what Montreal is asking for,” Martinez said.

Martinez played with the Dodgers for two years, then was traded to Montreal after the 1993 season. His brother, Ramon, remains with the Dodgers and Pedro would like to play with him again some day.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: N.L. CY YOUNG VOTING Voting for the 1997 N.L. Cy Young Award, with five points for each first-place vote, three points for second and one point for third:

Player 1st 2nd 3rd Tot Martinez, Mon 25 3 - 134 Maddux, Atl 3 18 6 75 Neagle, Atl - 5 9 24 Schilling, Phi - 1 9 12 Kile, Hou - 1 4 7