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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There has been a question that has been looming in my head since before spring training even started. " Why oh why did we ever keep Pedro for one more year at the incredible sum of 17.5 million?" My god why did we even keep him regardless of how much we were going to pay him? I am a passionate Red Sox fan, a fan that follows every trade, every signing, every single headline that I see on the internet, in the papers, and on magazine covers. During baseball season I, as well as a million other red sox fans from coast to coast, eat, sleep, and breathe Red Sox baseball. But in all honesty, I simply cannot stand this whining baby anymore. The red carpet should have been rolled up two years ago on this ego-maniac. Imagine the possibilities if his option for the final year of his contract was not picked up. How about a Bartolo Colon, or a Javier Vazquez? How about one of a dozen other talented pitchers that would have saved millions of dollars and millions of severe headaches. With the best bullpen in baseball, and true honest workhorses like Curt Schilling and Tim wakefield leading the charge, backed up by any one of those dozen pitchers, and accompanied by Derek Lowe and Bronson Arroyo/Byung hun kim, the pitching staff doesn't sound all that bad does it? In fact, It sounds pretty damn good to me. So to keep this short and to the point, Pedro has been nothing but a headache who at one point was amazing to watch but never saw past the yankees in the playoffs. His 17.5 million didn't get us to the world series did it? Maybe one man shouldn't be counted on to do that, but Tim wakefield's name would possibly argue that statement considering his stats from the playoffs last year. And Wakefield's contract is miniscule compared to Pedro's. Don't hear a peep out of him do you? So send Pedro to wherever he wants to go, whoever is dumb enough to pay for his mouth, his ego, and his deterioating arm. Baseball really needs more people like Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield, Kevin Millar, Bill Mueller, and my new favorite David Ortiz. Pedro has always been the ego problem of this team. They didn't need him last year and they defenitely do not need him this year.

David , Westfield , MA

I've lost all respect for this crybaby. Red Sox nation has kissed his butt for years and he has the nerve to complain about his contract and money at a point when the team is really showing signs of doing something special this year. He is a selfish crybaby that is scared because Schilling is now the top guy on the staff. How dare him comment on the other guys negotiations, how much does he really know about their situations? And finally he has the audacity to say restructuring his contract wouldn't be fair to the young players coming into the league. What a co-out. Its all about the money and he is trying to hid behind caring about the future of the young guys. Right! Pedro is concerned that he is on the downhill side of his career and knows he can't command the money that he used to so he's trying to turn it around on the Sox. He he wants to be a team guy and stay around, great, but if not, I say see you later crybaby.

Chris, Richmond, VA

I had a lot of respect for Pedro when he was first signed by Boston. Except for Louis (Tiante) I can't think of any Boston pitcher that excited me more. He loved Boston, the fans, and was always willing to talk to the media. He wanted to finish his career in Boston and played for the love of the game. Money was secondary. What happened? We now have a high priced brat, who assuming he pitches 250 innings this year, makes more in one inning than I make in a year and a quarter. His mid to high 90's fast ball is gone but he still has an arsenal that is the envy of many others in the game, if his location is on. Is he worth big money and a long contract? He's getting older, his shoulder is suspect, and he's lost his best stuff. I just wish he'd count his blessings, show a bit of humility, and shut his mouth. Right now, I'd help pack his suitcases and holdd the door for him.

Ron , Chicopee, Ma.

Pedro's all about ego. He's no team player!! His abilities have been slipping now for two years. We'll be lucky if he stay healthy and wins 15 games. Unload him know he's not gonna be as successful as Glavine and Maddux were in their mid 30's. His ego will force him to continue to try and challenge hitters and he going to get clobbered. I think in the next couple of years I'd rather have him pitching against us than for us....

AL, Chesapeake, VA

I'd hate to see the Sox management make the mistake of allowing Pedro to get away. While he has obviously lost some of his smoke, he still winds up somehow among the top of the ERA totem poll year after year. I remember the last time the Sox thought a pitcher was past his prime and let him go..... Roger Clemens. Pedro has been he heart of this team for so long, we need him.

BRIAN , INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

The Red Sox management are fools if they even consider letting Pedro go as they did previously with Roger Clemens. Had the Red Sox had Clemens during the Toronto and Yankee years they may already have won the World Series. Pedro even with less velocity is still one of the top two pitchers in baseball. I also think they better resign Nomar, Varitek and Lowe as well.

Ivan , Bonita Springs, Florida & Rio de Janeiro

LET'S SAY THE SOX SIGN PEDRO FOR $12 A YEAR FOR FOUR YEARS. AND SAY, 15 MONTHS FROM NOW PEDRO NEEDS MAJOR SURGERY ON HIS SHOULDER. DO THE SOX KEEP PAYING HIM? WHERE ELSE CAN YOU HAVE A JOB (CAREER) NOT GO TO WORK AND STILL GET PAID? ALSO WHAT IS THE TRACK RECORD FOR LONGEVITY OF PITCHERS WITH WHAT INJURIE(S) PEDRO HAS HAD? I GUESS THE ANSWER TO SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS AND MORE WOULD DETERMINE A LONG-TERM CONTRACT.

Larry , Tooele

I think we should all take a Bellicheck view of our teams. No one, not Walker or Pedro or Law is bigger than the team. If these spoiled athletes want their's somewhere else, let them. Our recent history shoes the grass isn't really that green somewhere else. If they aren't willing to be reasonable, let 'em go, but do it before they can just walk out; get what we can for them. If Varitek wants to stay, we should pay him the $ he deserves., he is very valuable to this team.

Jerry , Dartmouth

Pedro is just about done. He may get by on guile now and then but that arm (shoulder) is dying a slow death. You don't change arm slots, lose velocity, command and life on the ball when you're healthy and had an off-season to recover. Thats wishful thinking. Same build and same mechanics as his brother and that ship sank pretty fast when it went down. I think management has handled this well. Don't expect to see Pedro back next year. Seventeen-Five can be put to better use elsewhere. The Schilling deal was more than just getting somebody to compliment Pedro. Pedro won't be around to be complimented.

scott, malcom

The new mamagment seems to prefer to employ people who are not punks. The first player they resigned from last year was Mike Timlin, for example. A solid pro and person. Pedro is a punk. I think management make up their mind after Game 3 of the AL Playoffs against the Yankees last year. I think they are tired of his act. I am. Take the $17 million and let Theo find two young pitchers who will help on the field,and not hurt them off it.

Tim , Syracuse