David Ortiz: I 'Never Said' I'd Sign With Yankees
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — According to David Ortiz, all the Big Papi-to-Yankees talk last week was much ado about nothing.
Ortiz insisted Thursday night that his preference isn't New York, it's to stay with the Red Sox.
"Of course, I would like to come back," he told reporters after receiving baseball's Roberto Clemente Award at the World Series.
Following an unprecedented September collapse, manager Terry Francona left, general manager Theo Epstein is on the verge of quitting to take a job with the Cubs and the team is in turmoil after media reports that pitchers drank beer and ate fried chicken in the clubhouse during games.
"You guys know it all, already. I don't have to add anything," Ortiz said. "I'm there every day, but I do what I've got to do. I have no more comment on that. You guys know it all."
Ortiz said too much was made of a television interview earlier this month during which he said he was tiring of the "drama" in Boston -- and would consider donning pinstripes and playing for the rival Yankees.
"I never said that I would sign with the Yankees. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no," he said. "They asked me if I would play for the Yankees. I said I would think about it. But I didn't confirm to nobody that I would play for the Yankees. I'm still a Red Sox, aren't I?"
Boston was nine games ahead of Tampa Bay at the start of play on Sept. 4, then lost 18 of its last 24 games to finished one game behind the Rays in the AL wild-card race.
Ortiz, eligible for free agency after the World Series, hit .309 with 29 homers and 96 RBIs. He said given the turmoil, it's too early to start talking contract with the Red Sox.
"They have a lot of things going on right now," Ortiz said. "So once they go through all the stuff, GM and managing things, I think they're going to start talking to the players. So, we'll see. We've got time."
Yankees fans: what's your stance on Big Papi? Sound off in the comments below...
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