Pedro Martinez, in comments to the media, Friday declared "enough is enough" and closed the door on contract negotiations with the Sox, saying he will enter free agency after the season.

We asked what you thought of the ace's comments, and Red Sox Nation spoke out in droves. Check out our reader comments.

in the globe: Pedro prepared to walk | Is ownership playing hardball?

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I think that Pedro is just upset because he is not the Red Sox ace anymore. He isn't able to pitch like he used to so the Sox had to get someone better. Thank God for Schilling. I think that they should just trade him now and get rid of the problem. I have read though that there is something in his contract that makes that impossible. Something needs to be done about his attitude. Last year, Manny had a horrible attitude so the Sox just put him out on the chopping block and when he saw that no one else wanted him, he shaped up. Since the same thing can't be done to Pedro, I think that he should be sent down to the minors for a while and that way maybe they can bring someone up who wants to play. That would most likely get the little brat to shut up and play ball and if not, it would devalue him enough to where no one would want him anyways.

Scott, Barkhamsted

Pedro's comments are perfectly consistent with Red Sox "culture" and exemplify why this team will never be a winner. They are whiners, one and all. Red Sox management has never bitten the bullet and come down hard on the prima donnas that inhabit the Red Sox club house. Until they do, we'll keep looking at the Yankees in October heading for the post season. Thank God for the Patriots...opening day is only four months and a few days away!

Jack , Framingham, MA

I think that Pedro seems to forget that the Fans and the Organization do remember how much he has contributed to the team. And that we all know and appreciate the years when he alone carried the pitching staff. No one will ever forget his relief appearance against Cleveland in 99. Ever! He also seems to forget that his brother cashed a paycheck basically for sitting next to him in the dugout for two years when no other team would touch him. The team also caved in to his complaints last year by renewing his team option early in the season to keep him from causing disruptions on the Sox. 500k a start minimum this year and he's complaining. It's a new day in baseball and it seems that the guy signing the front of the check wants to have a say. The players have a union so that they could have a handle on management and the owners. Well they've got it. In any union situation the boss is not your friend and will never be because the union will not let you be his. And in every union situation people get laid-off. The union made it a business instead of a sport and it now seems the players don't understand that the reason it is not a game anymore is because of them. It is a business. Pedro everybody loves you, but your leaving us with a bad taste in our mouths. If you don't think your appreciated around here just remember they'll boo you after two bad starts in NY. But you'll probably never get boo'ed around here. Because we do remember.

ajk, seal beach, ca.

Better spend some time signing Derek Lowe. He could pitch forever with his delivery while Pedro is fragile, losing velocity (but still smart & cunning), when he should be in his prime (re: Schilling at 39). Veritek is getting old for catchers

Dopn , Charleston, S.C.

I love Pedro. I was in Boston doing college visits during the 1999 ALCS, during Game 3. I didn't even go to the game... I just watched it on TV in my hotel room with my mom, and on that day, Pedro and the unbelievable energy I felt in the city made me a Red Sox fan for life. In retrospect, maybe I should have already been angry with Pedro for that, but now, I'm livid. What the hell is wrong with this guy? If he's going to shoot his mouth off, he should at least have the bloody common decency to win the game the next day so his teammates don't lose all respect in him. If Pedro becomes a Yankee, I don't know what the hell I'll do, but it might involve punching the first few Yankee fans I see.

Travis , Ithaca, NY

martinez?..lowe?.. nomar?.. In november,my prediction will be "how we hate to leave this city with the greatest fans in the world,but, you do what you have to do", with tears flowing....wake up Red Sox nation!....they will move on to other teams just like Schilling,Pettitte,Colon,Glavine,A-rod,I-rod,etc,etc,etc,....Red Sox nation; it's 2004, not, 1964.....You will survive without them!....

bbut, bristol,ct

I find Pedro's antics annoying. He insists on instilling doubt and fear among fans rather than lead the team and pitching staff. His selfishness and immaturity detract from the classiness of this year's Sox team. As a Yankee fan, I sincerely hope that Steinbrenner can steer clear of Pedro should he become a free agent after the season. We don't want or need his brand of egocentricity.

Pat M, CT

I am so sick of hearing this guy whine about no respect, etc. For $17.5 million a year, how about respecting the fans of Boston and pitching at the level you're supposed to?? I'll take Schilling as my ace, anyday. Pay me $17.5 million a year, and you can disrespect me all you want!

David, Burlington,MA

I think the Sox should consentrate on Nomar and Varitek, Pedro is not worth the money he wants and is the opposite of what this current Red Sox team is about. Derek Lowe will get some decent offers but I think his questionable mental make up will keep him from a major offer from another team. I think the Sox can retain him. The Yankees can have Pedro, to go along with all the other me first Yankees. I think Pedro is crumbling under the pressure of the presence of Curt Schilling. He knows deep down he's not the Man around here anymore. I won't mind if we keep him but not for more than 12M per.

B. Beane, Springfield, Ma

Send cry-baby Pedro to Pawtucket. We don't need his on-again off-again pitching, especially when it's always "off' when needed the most. Spend the $ on Jason, D-Lowe and Nomar and stop wasting it on a guy that would rather play for the evil empire. How can he say stuff like that when he knows how much the fans hate the Yuckees? It seems he is just trying to annoy us all - get rid of the bum!

Chris, Northboro