Right, because the 7 IP with no runs allowed against the Yankees was against an NL team. Or how about the quality start against Baltimore, another NL team. Pedro can still pitch in this league. I think last night is a horrible example of his ability in this league because of the situation. He was distracted, and you could tell it.
I originally thought that Petey was on edge of a steep downward slope in the '04 offseason. It was the first year he'd been hit pretty hard, and I thought the shoulder would only get worse. However, Petey adjusted very well and became a pitcher after being a hurler. I was wrong there.
The main reason I've come around to seeing this as a collosal blunder is the cost of his replacements. Beckett cost Hanley and Anibal (I love the Beckett acquisition, but maybe they aren't in the market there if they had Pedro last year). Clement + Johnson + Snyder + DiNardo + Pauley + bringing up Lester earlier than you'd want are probaby more expensive than Petey's salary. Wells is wasted salary at this point. And, let's not forget the flier they had to take on Wade Miller last year.