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 31

Best payed picture in baseball at what 17.5 million and he is complaining? How about all the other folks here and back home in his country that are not making that money and with no job security? Must be nice to get that money, complain and no that you won't get anyless than 10 million for 3-4 years - like the rest of thr workers!

Ken, Willis

Just Shut Up and play ball. I didn't like the fact he brought his teammates into the mix

John, Dorchester

Best paid picture in baseball at what 17.5 million and he is complaining? How about all the other folks here and back home in his country that are not making that money and with no job security? Must be nice to get that money, complain and no that you won't get anyless than 10 million for 3-4 years - like the rest of the workers!

Ken, Willis

He had a good run in Boston, but his time is up. He can't throw a fastball past 90 and batters are waiting on his changeup. I believe his good days are behind him and it wouldn't bother me if he switched to another team.

Brian, Lynn

I have enjoyed watching Pedro so much the last few years. I think he has great value to all Red Sox fans, not only in his performance on the field in the future but also as an icon of greatness. I think we should give him a little bit more than fair market value just for what he means to us. I do not think we should over pay too much for his service however.I believe his market value to be in the 12-14 million a year. Unfortunately he is not still the best pitcher in baseball that he once was. I will hate to see him go and I already have resigned myself to the fact that he won't get what he wants with us and that the MFY will pay to get him. I also thought Roger was past his prime when he went to the Blue Jays.....oops. Pedro just doesn't have the build to be long term dominant power pitcher, he will have toi rely on being a crafty winner. He may do that, but he can't command 15-17 million a year and have question marks. I love his character and enjoy seeing Peety every chance I get and I wish him nothing but the best of luck whereever he is. He was the best I've ever seen. John,Season Ticket holder of NH

John, Hanover/NH

Could this be another Roger Clemens scenario? The Sox let him walk in the supposed "twilight" of his career, not wanting to pay him and he's done quite well since. I can imagine this scanrio: Pedro walks, helps the Yankees to another two or three championships at the Sox expense and the rest is all too familiar history.

Tom, Natick, MA

Pedro Martinez, his name was once revered in Boston. Well, how the mighty have fallen. His selfish, prima -donna attitude got tired two years ago and at least then he was the best pitcher in Baseball. Now he is an aging star who misses 7 starts a year due to imaginary illnesses when we play interleague games. So long Pedro, your talent will be missed but you will just be considered an arrogant SOB who cries about making 17 million a year.

Tom, Somerville

Pedro will look great in pinstripes!!!!

JIM

The Red Sox need look no further than Houston to realize the big mistake they could be making by letting Pedro go. This is the exact same dance that the Red Sox started with Roger Clemens in 1996. As much as they claimed they were "trying" to keep him, we later learned that management felt his best years were behind him, and wanted to see him go. He did. Seven years, three Cy Young awards, and 2 World Series rings later, Roger is off to a 5-0 start for the Astros, and the Red Sox are still trying to win their first pennant in 18 years. Clearly Clemens had started to show some signs that he wasn't the same pitcher he had been in 1986, or 1991, but he found a pitch that rejuvenated his career. The great ones do that. And Pedro is a great one. Maybe the greatest of them all. Let's not forget that there were plenty of Sox fans saying the exact same thing about Roger then. "Go on, crybaby! We can do better without you!" Wrong. If Pedro leaves, and I have to watch him win a World Series wearing (heaven forbid) a Yankees uniform, that would be a real shame. If I have to see him hugging Derek Jeter and sharing a championship with Steinbrenner, I might just puke. Let's not take the chance. I say get over the "shock" that a professional athlete in 2004 is publicly whining about his contract and do whatever is needed to keep him. You don't just go find another Pedro.

Matt, Bristol

Curt Schilling was right when he called Pedro a PUNK! He is a PUNK! Bottom line with Pedro is PEDRO, not the team. It is obvious that Pedro is NOT the pitcher he was a couple of years ago and I believe Pedro really knows this too. He just wants another big contract before he falls apart altogether. I think the Sox are right to wait on Pedro to see if he's worth signing for the amount/years he's looking for!! Go Sox!!

Robert , Wakefield