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 Pedro is near the end. He's done a great job for the Sox, but business is business. Baseball has long passed the days of paying somebody for the job they did in the past. It's all about NOW. Loyalty is a thing of the yesterday. He needs to embrace the fact that he's never going to throw 97 again. If he was fifty pounds heavier and seven inches taller it would be a different story. He's not the pitcher he once was and shouldn't be paid as though he is. I think Boston should let him walk next year. For the money we'll save on him, we could get someone young and up and coming. Thanks for the memories.

Harry, New York City

Here we are on the verge of finally excercising the demons and along comes Pedro and his self interests. No wonder we're always looking up at the Yankees.

Daniel, Glens Falls, NY

Pedro, like all of us in Red Sox fandom, are acutely aware of the number of contracts up for renewal and the amount of dollars that it will take to satisfy all of these high priced players. They will have to deal with each one individually and Pedro is yelling, "Me first". to acknowledge this request, the Sox ownership via Theo should put Pedro on the immediate market and save the grief that could become contageous in the locker room. It's taken a lot of us, players and fans alike, to understand that baseball is big business...this is how big business operates. Adios Pedro.

Jack , Poughkeepsie, New York

During spring training Pedro said if he did not have a contract by the end of spring training he would not negotiate during the season. So why is he negotiating. I think it is time for him to leave. He is the most pampered player in sports. The way he is crying you would think his is making minimum wage instead 17.5 million per season.

Chuck , Clarksburg, MA

Just when you thought it was safe to enjoy a sox winning streak, Pedro makes it a whining streak. I am sick and tired of waiting to see which of the players on our OWN TEAM will poison us! TRADE HIM....TRADE HIM NOW...Package him with Nomar and send him to Arizona for Randy Johnson. He can spend the rest of the year in the the hot sun complaining while we go on with plans to bring a World Series to Boston! I am perfectly comfortable with Pokey at short and Belhorn at 2nd. It would be nice to only have to worry about our opponents and not our own clubhouse poison. Speaking of which....How about them Marlins?

Peter , Concord , NH

Good Bye Petey! Try to make a living on $18 Million. Why do you disrespect the hand that feeds you? Show some respect for your employers. And by the way, who pays you are the FANS, who have to shell out a good chuck of a weeks pay just to see you pitch 4 innings or 100 pitches, whichever comes first. And you've really established to future employers that you can't pitch in cold weather (anything below 60 degrees). Put the money towards Tek, Lowe, Nomy, or whomever can not whine like an immature idiot and get paid $17.5 million to PLAY A GAME..(if only for 2 hours every 5 days at that)!!

Richard, Lowell, MA

If Pedro wants out so bad he better start pitching because if he keeps up these horrible performances no team is going to want him. Then he'll be stuck in Boston, where he apparently hates to be. I'd hate it too, millions of dollars to play baseball in front of fans who would sell their own children for a World Series. Wow Pedro, you have a horrible life here in Boston.

April , North Andover

I say goodbye to Pedro. He is a selfish egomaniac more interested in himself than the team. Instead of being upset about his pitiful performance @ Texas, he was yukking it up with Manny and all smiles and laughs in the dugout. That was the last straw. He's just not worth the $17.5 mil any more. He's more of a distraction than an asset.

Steve, Bonita Springs, FL

I think Pedro is being a BIG baby. He's being very selfish and VERY greedy. I hope he is bluffing and in turn Theo lets him go without a fight. Let's face it; we've got Schilling, Wakefield, Low, Kim, Foulke (to close) and so on. Pedro's hunger for Boston and winning is far over powered by his hunger (smells like Clemens) for money. Sounds to me like he's already a Yankee. Let him go hang with George, at least he'd be with like company. Besides, his erratic pitching as of late has been mediocre at best. And that my friends, is the bottum line!

Michael , Marion

He's not worth it. His arm is going, he hurt us last year and got his skipper fired, he is not a team person and always wants to be treated in a special way. Save the money and sign Lowe and Veriteck. I don't know if we have to waste big, big bucks on Nomar. Can you imagine Pedro saying he had to work and make a living - poor working stiff with millions and millions of bucks in the bank. These people do not deserve these huge salaries - they don't win championships, some aren't team players, they aren't grateful for the money. Winning brings in revenue, not cry babies.

charlie, Meredith,