Pedro: 'Just a matter of time' before join Sox

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic -- Speaking at the David Ortiz Celebrity Golf Classic at the Sanctuary Hotel and Resort, former Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez reiterated that a working relationship with the Sox was most likely imminent, albeit not formalized as of yet.

"It's just a matter of time, because right now the team has priorities I don't need to get involved in," Martinez said. "They need to get their priorities in place first, and then I'll help out later on with whatever. We'll find the right time."

Earlier this offseason, Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington had told MLB.com that the organization had reached out to Martinez in an effort to retain his services in some manner. According to Martinez, that invitation was received with open arms.

"That's what I want to do. I want to be there," said Martinez when asked if he could potentially fill a role similar to the one Jason Varitek is currently working in, as an assistant to the general manager. "And also, get close to Ben Cherington and [Larry] Lucchino, learn a little bit, see if I like that, the office, or if I like more on the field. I'm just going to get my feet wet and see want I can learn and then I'll decide what I'm really going to do."

Martinez added, "That's pretty much the way our relationship is. I'm really good friends with Ben Cherington and any time I say, "I want to go," he'll have an open door for me. I'll give him equal support. Any time he needs me, and any time the Red Sox call me to do anything, I'm open."

The 41-year-old, who last played in 2009 with the Phillies, did reiterate that he would be somewhat selective when it came to accepting an offer from the Red Sox.

"Yes, in the future, yes. But not as a pitching coach or anything like that," he said when asked about his return. "I would like to have access to the field, and be on the field sometimes, but not all the time. Because if I wanted to lead that life I probably would have played a couple of more years. The lifestyle is hard to deal with, every day, time and the same routine, it's not easy. The coaches have to be there earlier than the players. I don't know how I would handle it."

Martinez also said that one major league team asked him as recently as last season if he had any interest in returning to the big leagues as a pitcher. And while the righty said the Red Sox never made a formal invitation to rejoin their roster, there had always been hints regarding a possible return.

"About pitching, they never said anything although sometimes they would make comments like, 'Why don't you come back and retire as a Red Sox and be in the clubhouse.' But after '09 they had some more discussions back and forth, but nothing really serious," Martinez said. "But I knew the Red Sox, any time, if I approached them to play baseball they would have probably opened the doors. I don't know if I would have a spot in the rotation or whatever position I wanted, but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't close their doors to me."

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