David Ortiz leads the list of unsigned arbitration eligible Red Sox
The deadline to exchange salary figures has come and gone and the Red Sox were able to sign Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Mike Aviles. There are still four big names that remain unsigned led by slugger David Ortiz, newly acquired closer Andrew Bailey, Alfredo Aceves and Daniel Bard.
Proposed salaries were discussed and Ortiz and the Red Sox appear to miles apart. Last season the DH made $12.5 million and the Sox offered him a 1.2% raise to $12.65 million for next season. This figure seems low considering Ortiz hit .309 with 29 homers and 96 RBI. He was one of the more productive DH’s in the American League, which may be why he and his party asked for a salary of $16.5 million; hence the miles apart. Nearly $4 million separate the two sides and while they have right up to the scheduled hearing to negotiate a settlement, it’s best to get this one resolved sooner rather than later.
Ortiz has made it known that he wants to stay in Boston, preferably with a two-year deal. There hasn’t been mention of a second year at this point, but with the first step of exchanging figures out of the way, the multi-year deal is still an option to be ironed out in the coming weeks.
The Red Sox are probably low at their proposal while Ortiz is likely high with his. So there should be some common ground, somewhere close to the middle around $14.5 million. Given how sensitive Ortiz can be, especially with finances, an arbitration hearing could be detrimental to retaining the slugger after this season.
A second-year would be beneficial for the Red Sox and Ortiz. He gets to play in the city that adores him and the club retains one of the best DH in the game. His salary could be high for a player that only bats, but when you look at the production you’re getting out of him, it makes the numbing feeling a little easier.
With the future of Kevin Youkilis uncertain after this season, the potential to lose the middle lineup power would be difficult to replace. Therefore, signing Ortiz to a multi-year deal ensures he’s crushing home runs next season. Who knows, maybe then he’ll choose to ride off into the sunset as a Red Sox and we can give him his deserved farewell.
As mentioned, there are other Red Sox players who remained unsigned. AnDrew Bailey asked for $4.7 million while the Sox countered with $3.35 million. This one should get solved well before Spring Training, likely just over $4 million.
Alfredo Aceves is seeking $1.6 million while the Sox offered $900,000. Some would argue that Aceves is worth the almost doubled salary, but the Sox management want to make sure he can duplicate his outstanding performances for a second year before paying him as so. I also think this one will get resolved prior to the hearing and when Aceves shines again this season, he’ll be in for a substantial raise next off season. Have I thanked the Yankees for him yet?
Finally, Daniel Bard rounds out the list of the unsigned. Last season the brilliant setup man earned just over half a million. He’s asked to make triple that at $1.825 million. The Red Sox see his value and proposed a figure of $1.4 million. The two sides are not that far apart and like the others, this one should be relatively pain free for Cherington to put to bed.
So when it’s all said and done, I believe that Cherington will continue the Red Sox impressive run that Theo Epstein established of not going to an arbitration hearing with any players. While the Ortiz case will likely cause a few more grey hairs for the first-year GM, look for Big Papi to be all smiles when he enters Spring Training.
*all salary figures were courtesy of Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe.
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