The deal remained contingent on Martinez passing a physical later this week, but the Sox resigned themselves to losing the three-time Cy Young Award winner who helped lead them to the postseason in four of his seven years in Boston. He departed in his first opportunity as a free agent.
"We wish Pedro nothing but the best going forward both on the field and off the field," Sox principal owner John W. Henry said. "He has earned everything he has accomplished, including his World Series ring and his reputation as one of the greatest who ever lived."
The Sox, who invested $92 million in Martinez after they acquired him for two minor leaguers from the Montreal Expos in 1997, waged a strenuous effort to retain him in their quest for a second straight world championship. They believed they succeeded when they heeded his request to guarantee him $40.5 million over three years plus a $13.5 million option for 2008.
But the Mets, in a stunning development, outbid by the Sox at the last minute by sweetening their offer from a guaranteed three years at $37.5 million with a $12.5 million option to the final four-year package.
At that, Martinez left Boston's final offer on the table. He confirmed to several friends last night that he accepted the offer from the Mets.
"He's extremely happy," said one close friend who asked not to identified.
The Sox lost their pursuit of Martinez by standing by their opposition to guaranteeing a four-year contract to the 32-year-old righthander, who suffered a small tear in the labrum of his pitching shoulder in 2001 and opted to treat the injury with a strength and conditioning program rather than surgery.
"We put our absolute best foot forward," general manager Theo Epstein said before he received the final word of Martinez's decision. "We've tried to keep Pedro Martinez in a way that makes sense for the ballclub. The team comes first, always. That said, he's been a great contributor. If the [team's final offer] was not enough, we wish him the absolute best."
