The Ortiz Dilemma
At times during the 2010 season, contract talks between David Ortiz and the Red Sox became downright hostile. Ortiz was clear about his desire to have a multiyear deal in place before a one-year option was exercised, but nothing came to fruition. The Red Sox later exercised that team option held on Ortiz for the 2011 season.
Theo Epstein’s time as general manager for the Red Sox has largely been a success. After all, it was Epstein that put together the extra parts needed to bring the Sox their first World Series in 86 years, and three years later in 2007.
Despite his accomplishments as the Sox GM, some unpopular decisions have been made. In 2004, Nomar Garciaparra was sent to the Chicago Cubs in a four-team deal. Teammates and Red Sox fans were devastated. Johnny Damon said, “We just traded away Mr. Boston, a guy that meant so much to the city and just like that he’s gone.” Epstein however, saw a glaring need to upgrade the defense and jumped at the chance to pick up Gold Glovers Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz. In 2008, Manny Ramirez was dealt to the Dodgers before the trade deadline. “Manny being Manny” wasn’t funny anymore and it seemed like he had given up on the team. Both moves were unpopular at the time, but the decision to send fan favorites packing ended up being the right choice. Despite the correctness of the moves, a bittersweet taste was left in the mouth of all Sox fans.
However, Epstein’s record as GM is not unblemished. This is evident by taking a glance at the current Red Sox roster.
J.D. Drew– It’s not April until Drew takes strike three right down the middle of the plate. Overall, Drew is overpaid and not resilient. Back problems, hamstring issues, and vertigo are just a few ailments keeping Drew out of the starting lineup (and no, I’m not making the vertigo thing up).
John Lackey– 2011 Stats: ERA – 7.16; WHIP – 1.74. Watching Lackey throw batting practice every 5 days is getting old quick.
Daisuke Matsuzaka– Daisuke is constantly missing starts due to a variety of injuries including right shoulder weakness, back strain, forearm strain, and neck strain. In April of 2009, Matsuzaka somehow had dead arm to kick off the season. In 2010, Matsuzaka also began the season with injury. Is any conditioning being done in the offseason, Matsuzaka?
Back to the Ortiz contract issue.
“If he’s going to be the DH on this team, we need him to be a force” Epstein remarked after 2009 season about Ortiz. Ortiz responded with a drastically better season. Despite getting off to a slow start in 2010, Ortiz finished the season with a .270 batting average with 32 home runs and 102 RBIs. Big Papi displayed his ability to become a force once again.
Side Note:
These numbers look strikingly similar to Alex Rodriguez’s 2010 season. Rodriguez hit .270/30/125. Both players are 35 but the difference is in salary. Rodriguez made about three times the amount Ortiz did in 2010.
Epstein’s reluctance to sign Ortiz to a multiyear deal is understandable from a business standpoint. There are only a handful of players that can maintain a high level of productivity past the age of 35, especially in the post-steroid era. Not signing Ortiz is unpopular but is it necessary? Sox fans are torn with this predicament. Will this be a Nomar or Manny type move that Sox fans are grateful for in a few years?
Theo Epstein is one of the best general managers in baseball. When the Red Sox have a need, he does his best to fill it. When a deal needs to be made, Theo is on it. He’s obviously missed on some free agent signings before, but it’s been outweighed by the good acquisitions. His decision on the Ortiz contract will ultimately be a business decision. However, it’s hard to think of where the Sox would be without the contributions by David Ortiz over the past 8+ seasons. 2004 and 2007 may not have been championships seasons without Papi. Maybe it’s time to reward his contributions with one last contract but what do I know, I’m just a Red Sox fan.
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