Ortiz Wants 2-Years, Should The Red Sox?
BOSTON (CBS) – Red Sox DH David Ortiz had a great first half of the season, helping Boston claim the top spot in the AL East and second best record in baseball.
One thing that has not gotten in Big Papi's way is the fact he does not have a contract for next year.
"I haven't talked at all about that," Ortiz told WBZ-TV's Dan Roche over the weekend. "Right now, I think we have a great team and we don't need any distractions."
But he told The Boston Herald something different on Monday.
"You know what? I've been in this organization for nine years. My numbers ain't that bad, you know what I'm saying?" Ortiz said from the Arizona. "I don't think I need to open any more eyes than I have already. If you haven't seen me, you ain't."
Ortiz, who wants to re-sign with Boston, said he still has plenty left in the tank and would like a two-year deal with an option for a third.
Ortiz has bounced back since a rough start in 2010. After a strong finish last season, Ortiz now leads Boston in 2011 with 19 home runs and has driven in 55 runs, third on the team behind MLB-leader Adrian Gonzalez (77) and Kevin Youkilis (63).
Read: Ortiz On All-Star No Shows: Cut Jeter Some Slack
Ortiz is making $12.5 million for 2011 after signing a one-year deal to remain in Boston. He wanted more years, but the Red Sox did not want to take a chance they would have the Ortiz who hit just .240 into last May with 5 home runs.
It's doubtful the Red Sox will pay Ortiz, at the age of 36, over $10 million for 2012, but would it be worth it for them to invest in Ortiz for much less?
Papi's days of 35+ home runs and 120+ RBI are over and he is a full-time DH, a dying breed in baseball. The Sox would love to have a DH that could also play the field, either at first base to spell Gonzalez or one of the outfield positions. They were recently handcuffed into playing Gonzalez in right field for two games during their nine-game National League road trip in order to give Ortiz at-bats.
Roche: Gonzo Finishes 2nd In Entertaining HR Derby
But if Ortiz can still produce at the plate, hitting 25 homers and driving in 90+, it will be hard to turn him away. If he is willing to accept a smaller contract, and possibly less at-bats as his career winds down, Boston may take him on for another season. If Ortiz wants more years, his days in a Red Sox uniform are probably over.
One thing is certain; Theo Epstein does not let past performances influence his decision on contracts (at least not with his own free agents, Mike Lowell aside.). Ortiz may have the team record for home runs in a season (54 in 2006) and without him the Red Sox would have never won the 2004 World Series, but that will mean little to Theo and Co come the winter.
One thing they cannot overlook is the fact Ortiz can handle all that comes with playing in Boston. Even during his first half slump in 2010, Papi took it in stride minus a few moments of snippiness. He has embraced his role as a clubhouse leader and keeps others mellow with his boisterous laugh. It certainly helps that he is hitting again too.
Is there a chance that this will be Ortiz' last season in Boston? Absolutely. If Ortiz sticks to wanting more than one year, the Red Sox will likely say so long. They already have a younger star power hitter in Adrian Gonzalez and clubhouse leaders in Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia.
But unless a younger and more versatile hitter is available, and Ortiz would take another one-year deal, Big Papi may be worth it for another season.
