Red Sox taking a risk putting David Ortiz at first base

The Boston Red Sox need David Ortiz’s bat in the lineup, but the decision to use him at first base could prove costly.

When the Boston Red Sox set out for Los Angeles for a weekend series against the Dodgers the expectation was that David Ortiz would get a few days off. Apparently the team has had a change of heart.

Ortiz will be in the lineup on Saturday after all, despite losing the benefit of the designated hitter in a National League ballpark. Just when we thought that his first base mitt had been retired, Ortiz will need to dig it out of storage.

This will be the first time this season that Ortiz has gotten the start at first base. The Red Sox have played five games in a National League park this season, with Ortiz appearing as a pinch-hitter in three of them. The team is 4-1 in those games.

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As valuable as Ortiz’s bat is to this lineup, is it wise to put a 40-year old with aching feet on the field? The veteran has talked extensively this season about the hours of preparation he requires before a game and has cited the soreness in his heels as one of the primary factors forcing him into retirement after this season.

Putting Ortiz on the field is a risky move. With the Red Sox trailing by two games in the division you can understand why he doesn’t want to sit on the bench for three straight games, but what if he gets hurt and misses significantly more time? Even if he avoids injury, playing nine innings on the field is bound to get those heels barking at him.

His career numbers as a first baseman don’t drop off drastically from what he’s produced as a DH, especially when you consider that his numbers at first are weighted heavily toward his early years in Minnesota. It was far more common to see him play the position in those days, but he hadn’t yet evolved into the feared slugger that we’ve come to know in Boston. As recently as last season, Ortiz started 9 games at fist base, hitting .367 with 5 home runs and a 1.357 OPS. Clearly he’s proven capable in the past of playing defense without taking away from his offensive production.

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Except that was the past. Not when he was on the wrong side of 40 and not when the constant pain he battles through on a daily basis to stay in the lineup has convinced him to walk away from the game.

Setting aside the injury concerns, there’s also the obvious defensive downgrade. A younger Ortiz was fairly nimble for a man his size, but those days are long gone. Might the Dodgers be thinking about dropping down a bunt towards first base to test Ortiz’s range? His bat can do some damage, but it doesn’t help the Red Sox much if he gives it right back on the defensive end.

Hopefully the Red Sox will open an early lead, as they did Friday night, allowing Ortiz to be taken out in the later innings. Did you ever think you’d see the day that you would hear the words, “Hanley Ramirez is being brought in as a defensive replacement.” It could happen. To our surprise, we may find ourselves glad if it does happen.

Ortiz sat out Friday night against the lefty Scott Kazmir, making today’s game the opportune time to use him if they planned to do so at all in this series. Manager John Farrell was non-committal when asked about the chances of Ortiz playing again Sunday after learning that lefty Rich Hill had been scratched due to an ongoing blister issue. That answer will depend on how well Ortiz makes it through today’s game, but they may be pushing their luck if they try for two in a row.

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The Red Sox are aware of the risks in putting Ortiz on the field, but they believe the rewards outweigh them. The manager, medical staff and, most importantly, Ortiz himself all believe that this is the right choice to win this game. They may be right, but if they’re wrong then that choice could cost them a lot more than one game.

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