Pedro talks with Yanks
Pedro Martinez visited the enemy Tuesday, meeting with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner at New York’s spring training complex in Tampa, Fla.
Taking aim at the World Series champion Boston Red Sox, Steinbrenner talked at Legends Field with the free-agent right-hander.
Martinez was accompanied by agents Fernando Cuza and Pat Rooney. New York vice presidents Mark Newman, Billy Connors and Damon Oppenheimer also attended.
“We had a good meeting,” Steinbrenner said in a statement, without elaborating.
Said Cuza: “I think it’s the same way. It was good.”
Boston general manager Theo Epstein did not return a telephone call seeking comment. Boston reportedly made a recent two-year offer to the ace.
Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, who got into a shouting match with Martinez during the 2003 playoffs, said last week he would be happy to see him in pinstripes.
“I don’t have anything against Pedro if he’s my teammate. The guy is a winner. He knows how to pitch,” Posada said.
Martinez was acquired by the Red Sox before the 1998 season and has gone 117-37 for Boston, winning the American League Cy Young Award in 1999 and 2000.
Expos land pair of free agents
The Montreal Expos made their first big splash since announcing their move to Washington, agreeing to a $6.2 million, two-year contract with third baseman Vinny Castilla and a $16.8 million, four-year deal with shortstop Cristian Guzman.
Castilla, 37, hit .271 with 35 homers and an N.L.-leading 131 runs batted in last season for Colorado, the best season for the two-time All-Star since he was with the Rockies in 1990s.
Castilla also has played for Atlanta, Houston and Tampa Bay, and has 303 career home runs.
Guzman, a 26-year-old switch-hitter, batted .274 last season with eight homers, 46 RBIs and 10 steals for Minnesota. He led A.L. shortstops with a .983 fielding percentage.
“The nice thing about this is that two big holes on the left side of the infield are filled,” manager Frank Robinson said. “It was nice to go out and fill those holes in a short period of time with quality players.”
The signings were the first major moves by Jim Bowden, hired as general manager on Nov. 2 to replace Omar Minaya, who became GM of the New York Mets.
Sheffield target of extortion
Yankees star Gary Sheffield and his wife were the targets of a blackmailer who claimed to have embarrassing sexual videotapes of her and a musician, the slugger’s business agent said.
Business agent Rufus Williams read a statement from Sheffield in which the Yankees outfielder said his wife, DeLeon, had a long relationship with a professional musician more than a decade ago. Sheffield said he had known about the relationship, which came before the couple married.
“I have not seen the alleged videotape, nor do I care to,” Sheffield said in the statement. “I love my wife and I vow again to stand by her through any trial or tribulation.”
Sheffield said he hoped “the FBI and the federal authorities will prosecute this man to the full extent of the law.
“We will not be blackmailed.”
Derrick Mosley, 38, a Chicago man who describes himself as a minister and has fashioned himself as a community activist, was charged Monday with operating a scheme to defraud for allegedly attempting to extort money from a professional athlete, who was not named.
Mosley was in custody pending a Thursday bond hearing.
Lidle signs with Phillies
Right-hander Cory Lidle returned to the Philadelphia Phillies, agreeing to a $6.3 million, two-year contract.
The 32-year-old Lidle was 5-2 with a 3.90 ERA in 10 starts with the Phillies after he was acquired from Cincinnati in August. Lidle, who started the Reds’ season opener, finished 12-12 overall with a 4.90 ERA.
His three shutouts were tied for the most in the major leagues and his five complete games were tied for second in the majors.
“Cory came over last August and did a very good job for us,” Phillies general manager Ed Wade said. “He is capable of eating a lot of innings and taking the pressure off the rest of the staff.”