Off-Season Begins with Options Period
By Brian Phair
After the last pitch from Brian Wilson to strike out Nelson Cruz last night, the frenzy of the MLB off-season began. The 1st thing that happens, is the automatic release of all free agents (142 around the league), including Mike Lowell, Victor Martinez and Jason Varitek. For the next 5 days, the Red Sox have the right to exclusively work out a deal with these guys, but more immediately, comes their 3-day window to either pick-up or decline club options. For some perspective, that list includes Scott Atchison, Bill Hall and David Ortiz. Players who have their own options have the same period of time to make their decisions and the Red Sox have 1 notable name on that list, Adrian Beltre. With 3 days to decide, let’s take a look at the options.
Let’s start with Bill Hall. The Red Sox have informed Hall that they will not be picking up his option, so he can explore the market for a starting role. If no starting role is available, there is a mutual respect and understanding that the Sox would like him back as a role player next season. I’m not sure there is a starting job out their for the utility-man, but his 18 home runs in 344 at-bats this past season will raise a few eyebrows. The issue with Hall has always been his low batting average, just falling short of his career .250 mark this season. If he can somehow find his way back to Boston, the experience he gained playing 7 positions this season (including pitching an inning) will certainly benefit the Sox off the bench. When you factor in his easy-going attitude and willingness to help the team where ever needed, he is a perfect clubhouse guy for the Sox.
Another club option is Scott Atchison. It is likely the Sox will pick up this option, because he became a go-to guy for Francona when the Sox needed clean-up innings and there were very few guys he could trust in the ‘pen. He wasn’t spectacular by any means, posting a 4.50 era and a 2-3 record in 60 innings, but at a $440,000 price tag, it is an easy way to fill one of the middle-relief slots without having to spend a large amount. The Sox need to add a strong late-inning reliever or two to their arsenal, so by saving money in the middle-long relief area, they can go out a spend a little more for a more dominant reliever or two to set-up for Jonathan Papelbon, if he is still around in 2011. Atchison cam to the US after playing in Japan for a few years to get better care for his daughter and was a non-roster invitee in Spring Training, so it is a pretty remarkable story if he sticks around for another season in Boston.
The biggest club option decision is David Ortiz. Big Papi and the Red Sox have had some preliminary contract negotiations, but as of now, they don’t appear to have progressed too far. Ortiz wants a multi-year deal and the Sox want to bring him back, but not at top dollar given his age. The team is unsure about how many more years Ortiz can play given the fact he is just 2 weeks from turning 35, an old age for a big slugger like Papi. If a multi-year deal is put in place before Thursday at midnight, it will likely require some sacrifice on both ends. After posting a .270 average with 32 home runs in 2010, Papi will draw interest in the AL if the Sox can’t work out a deal and decide to decline his option. Ultimately, I think the sides will come to an agreement on a 2-3 year deal to keep the friendly slugger in Boston.
The only player option the Red Sox have to deal with this off-season is Adrian Beltre‘s. He can opt to re-up with the Sox for $10 million, but will most certainly not. Beltre had a terrific year in Boston, belting 28 home runs and finishing 4th in batting average (.321). Beltre made his 1st All-Star team and proved that at age 31, he can still swing the bat and play strong defense. On an open market, with Scott Boras as his agent, Beltre will make a lot more than $10 million next season and given his creeping age, the Sox will likely not be willing to invest the type of money in him to steal him from another club. Kevin Youkilis made a comment recently about being prepared to play 3rd base, so the Sox may choose to go after a top tier 1st baseman like Adrian Gonzalez and slide Youk over to his natural position at the hot corner. As much as having Beltre on the team in 2011 will help the club, it seems unlikely to happen.
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