David Ortiz stays in Boston
Today was the last day for the Red Sox to pick up the option on David “Big Papi” Ortiz’s contract, worth $12.5 million, and they completed the deal, meaning they will not be needing a new designated hitter.
Big Papi has been a member of the Red Sox since he was released by the Minnesota Twins in 2002. If the Red Sox did not pick up the option he would have become an unrestricted free agent.
After having started the past two season with dismal starts, Ortiz has admitted that the heckles, jeers and constant media questions about his performance have taken its toll on the slugger.
"It's not like you're in a cage, locked up and you come to the field and that's it," Ortiz told WEEI.com last week. "It's not like we don't watch TV, listen to the radio, read the newspaper. We are all connected to that stuff, especially here. I don't think
there's any baseball player that can deal with all the distractions that I deal with and play baseball. It's hard. I'm not a superhero. I'm just another human being, like everyone else. I've got feelings. I want to give this team another World Series."
Big Papi’s has a career batting average of .281 but it is clear that the Red Sox do not want him for his average. It is his home run totals that matter the most, especially as a designated hitter. He hit 32 home runs last year, which in no way comes close
to his total of 54 in the 2006 season when he took the Red Sox deep into the playoffs. He also has six 30 home run seasons with the Sox, second only to Manny Ramirez, who is now with the Chicago White Sox, but about to become a free agent.
Ortiz has been an all-star in five of the last seven years, and also earned the honour of American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player in 2004. He also received the Hank Aaron award in 2005, and has a total of four Silver Slugger awards.
He will definitely be adding to these totals this year, and for many years to come, according to mlb.com.
Tags: