Pedro Martinez met with George Steinbrenner when he was a free agent following his tenure with the Red Sox and prior to his decision to sign with the Mets.
According to a person who was present in the conference room that day and asked to remain anonymous, Martinez told Steinbrenner, "I want to be a Yankee."
Steinbrenner released a statement after the meeting with Martinez through his publicist, saying only, "We had a good meeting."
Steinbrenner was convinced by his baseball people, including Brian Cashman, not to offer a contract to Martinez.
That offseason, the Yankees attempted to improve their rotation by signing free agents Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright, while also dealing for Randy Johnson.
Pedro Wanted To Be A Yankee After 2004 Season