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?

Page 21

The 2003 ALCS really showed that Martinez is no longer the ace. All of the talk about Pedro and Schilling. Take Pedro out of the equation, and you have Schilling + Wakefield...yes Wakefield as your strong #1 and 2 guys. Look at Wake, he gets better each year like most knuckle ball pitchers. Trade Pedro to the D-Backs for Randy, and both are gone at end of season anyway, but you get a value for Pedro now a proven winner who is a team player for the rest of the season.

Scott, Barrington RI

Let him go. He is too fragile and too needy. There is no doubt that he is still a great pitcher and I believe he has a few more good years in him. However, with his attitude, injure risk and declining ability, I do not think he is worth locking up for long term or with the amount of money he thinks he deserves.

Eric, Allston

How Ironic, I was in Cooperstown this weekend when I learned of his latest outburst, what crap! Don't negotiate another minute with him, let him pitch now for next year's contract with someone else, even if it is with Torre's Losers! Signing Lowe, who is younger and has less downside, should be priority #1. The answer isn't always to bring in another player, we know what we have with Derek Lowe! I love Pedro, but he's right, enough is enough!

Rip , Kendall Park, NJ

Pedro should shut up and pitch. Obviously, he's desperate to have a new contract because he has doubts about his health - just as we all do. Pedro's gotta learn that players are paid based on what they are expected to do, not what they have alredy done. He's been more than adequately compensated for what he has already done. And if he really wants to make the big $$ next year, he better pitch like the best pitcher on the planet. He was a complete no-show on Saturday night.

Tricia, Easton

Good Riddance Pedro: The Red Sox nation has loved you and stood by you through thick and thin. You embarrassed us during the ALCS playoffs with the Don Zimmer fiasco and even though you got Grady Little fired, we stood by you. Here we are coasting at a 6 game winning streak...and you have to open your big mouth..the next thing we know..we lose three in a row and the Yanks...go six and o. You are the curse, Pedro. Enough is enough....take your $17.6 million deal and go play for the Yankees...we'll find another Curt Shilling with that kind of cash..no problem. Later pedro...out.

Harris , Santa Monica , Ca..by way of Fall River

Think of the Patriots!! Trade Pedro today for prospects, we can do it without him. He is jealous of not being in the headlines since Shilling got here. What a distraction!

John, Medfield

I've been a Pedro supporter for years, but this time he's got me thinking its time for the Red Sox to plan on moving ahead without him. What happened to all that talk last spring training when Pedro whined about the Red Sox not picking up his option, gave us the same song and dance about being a free agent and maybe even going to the Yankees, but if the Sox picked up his option it would go a long way in their negotiations with him the next offseason? I guess Pedro decided, as a man, that another year and another 17 million dollars with the mantle of being the highest paid pitcher in baseball just wasn't enough for him to keep his word to management, his teammates, and the fans of Boston. On a more practical note, is a pitcher who has clearly lost his velocity and dominance that he has displayed in the past, who has lost all ability to finish games (to throw in excess of 110 pitches nonetheless), who must rely on the bullpen every night he takes the mound to finish what he started, and has a tendency to spend some time out of the lineup because of injury, worth an ace's salary at ace years in the true sense of the word "ace," as Pedro would lead us to believe he is? Finally, the worst part of all of this, is that Pedro opened his trap amidst one of the most incredible stretches of pitching dominance the Red Sox have seen in many years. What kind of a teammate is so self centered that he would jeopardize the chemistry of a team who has one of the best records in baseball, was coming off a three game sweep of their arch rival in their own backyard, is looking poised for another run at playing very deep into October, and caused his teammates like Jason Varitek (who is in the same exact position as Pedro, but is man enough to keep him mouth shut for the good of his team) to have to answer for him as if he was their spoiled little brother who cried out to whomever would listen because he didn't get what he wanted from a managament team who pays him more than any pitcher in baseball. Be a man Pedro, shut your mouth, and go earn the money that you feel you are "entitled" to, and most important, make good on the word you gave to management, your teammates, and your fans.

Matt, Boston

Always thought he was a pain in ass. 2 options 1. Either stop acting like a 5 year old and Pitch orrrrrrrrrrrrr 2. LEAVE!

Mario , Allston

If he is going to be a malcontent, and will not be resigned, trade him now in the best deal possible.

A Tyndall, Falls Villagge CT

Pedro's timing for making the announcement is uncanny. The team has been winning without Nomar and Trot, both the starting pitching and bullpen are performing well. Many would ask why he is negatively vocal now when he has been so resistant to speaking to the media about anything else in the past? However, I don't believe he makes such comments to maliciously bring the team down in any way but does so in an effort to promote his own self interest. This can be a distraction, and yes he's a premadonna, and rightfully so, but be consistant Pedro, don't air only the laundry you want to make public. He is better off just letting his performance do the talking for him. He should think about the team and make his comments / threats to management in private. That's how Theo Epstien has consistantly operated on behalf of management. The bottom line is that management and Pedro disagree on years and money and considering his past health issues, small frame and decrease in velocity, the Red Sox have no benefit of signing him before the end of the season. Both sides should be professional about it and handle it behind closed doors, shut up about it in the media, and play championship level baseball!

Harold , Norwich, Connecticut