Martinez Is Headed to Market

Darryl Kile of the Houston Astros and Andy Benes of the St. Louis Cardinals are the best free-agent pitchers available; however, the best pitcher on the market isn’t a free agent.

The Montreal Expos have said they will trade Pedro Martinez, the favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award, because they can’t afford his salary. He had a base salary of $3.5 million this year and probably will get more than $6 million in salary arbitration.

Others who can file for free agency after the final out of the World Series today or Sunday include Brady Anderson, Kenny Lofton, Andres Galarraga, Rod Beck, Orel Hershiser, Jay Bell, Cecil Fielder and Roberto Hernandez.

Paul Molitor declined his $2.75-million player option with Minnesota and also is eligible to file.

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A representative of the commissioner’s office speculated Friday that he did not think a vote on the sale of the Dodgers to Rupert Murdoch will take place before the next regularly scheduled owners’ meeting in January.

“That would surprise me,” Dodger owner Peter O’Malley said.

O’Malley added that he continues to hear that the procedural process is moving smoothly, but he has not heard a definitive date regarding a vote.

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The New York Mets have talked to the Texas Rangers about a multiplayer trade involving Juan Gonzalez.

Gonzalez, a 28-year-old outfielder, hit 42 home runs with 131 RBIs this season despite being injured for the first month.

Texas likely would seek a starting pitcher, such as Bobby Jones or Jason Isringhausen, along with players at other positions.

Baseball Notes

In his first public appearance this year at the state Capitol in St. Paul before key lawmakers, Minnesota Twin owner Carl Pohlad said he would contribute $111 million cash toward a new baseball stadium. Pohlad’s long-awaited appearance came at the request of legislative leaders who sent him a letter Thursday asking that he speak at a special meeting of the House Rules and Senate Tax committees to discuss the $400-million-plus retractable roof ballpark. . . . Eight-time National League batting champion Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

Staff writer Ross Newhan contributed to this story.