New York.– Pedro Martinez still hopes for a return to the Mets despite every indication that they have no interest, according to a friend who has spoken to the righthander recently.

The Dodgers appear to be Martinez's more likely landing point, given that they have openly admitted their interest in signing him. According to his friend, Martinez is intrigued by the idea of seeing his career come full circle as well as reuniting with Manny Ramirez and playing for Joe Torre.

But Martinez's "heart is in New York," the friend said, so much so that he has refused to put his house on the New York-Connecticut border on the market.

Martinez's agent, Fern Cuza, has told people they're "in no hurry" to sign. But Martinez's camp appears optimistic of a deal before Opening Day.