Pitch To Pedro. The Red Sox have offered Pedro Martinez a contract similar to the one Curt Schilling signed last November. According to the Globe, it's 2 years/$25.5M with a $13M option for 2007 and $2M in potential performance bonuses. However, Pedro will likely wait and listen to offers from other teams (including the Yankees), which will start this Friday.

George King, NY Post, November 2: "And since Martinez has never said he wouldn't play for the Yankees, and since George Steinbrenner always desires marquee players, expect the two to dance throughout the process." ... Pedro to Stan Grossfeld, Boston Globe, October 29: "I promise. I'm not going to the Yankees. I want to stay right here."

Schilling is expected to undergo surgery on Tuesday. ... Boston has also expressed interest in Carl Pavano. ... The Herald claims that if the Sox cannot sign Orlando Cabrera (the Mets may go after him), they'll look at either Barry Larkin or Omar Vizquel. I don't believe this, but in case it's true, I say "Please, no."

Gordon Edes on Ortiz's Tokyo blast. ... Tony Massarotti looks at the decision to resign Jason Varitek and notes that he and John Harper (New York Daily News) are collaborating on a book about the 2004 season. ... Rumors: NYY trade Posada for Randy Johnson, then sign Varitek. Also: Nixon for Hudson.