With the Patriots on their bye week, the Celtics off until tomorrow and the Bruins collectively tied to a post in Gary Bettman?s basement, I want to take a second this morning to comment on the Red Sox.
You remember the Sox, right? Dysfunctional guys who play in that stadium with all the plaques? Aside from hiring a few new coaches, we haven?t heard much from Yawkey Way since they introduced John Farrell last week. (Was that really only a week ago? Feels like another lifetime.) Of course, for once, this isn?t the Red Sox fault; unless you?re Scott Boras or Alex Rodriguez, the World Series is a time when the rest of baseball goes dark. But now that the Giants have been crowned, it?s time to get to work, and for the Sox, there?s one issue that?s sits above all else on their list of priorities: David Ortiz.
On the same day that they introduced Farrell, it was reported that Boston and Ortiz were on the verge of finalizing a two-year deal. But nine days later, according to Sean McAdam, the sides are still far apart. That means, figuring they don?t come to terms before Friday at 5 pm and Ortiz doesn?t accept Boston?s $13.3M qualifying offer, that Big Papi will become a free agent.
And this leaves the Sox with three choices:
Let him walk: Of course, this is assuming that there are other offers. Despite what Ortiz said last year, and what he?ll surely claim this year, it?s fair to wonder if there?s really a market for a 37-year-old (we think) designated hitter with a nagging Achilles. At the very least, it?s hard to believe that another team will give Ortiz a multi-year deal ? especially since, thanks to the new CBA, any club that signs him will have to fork over a first round pick. In that case, don?t you think that Ortiz would rather play one more year in Boston than pick up and move (or leave) his family to play a single season in a random city? I do. Not to mention, the Sox are slightly screwed if there?s suddenly a Papi-sized hole in their lineup. They don?t want to lose him either. So, let?s just roll with the assumption that Ortiz will be back ? in one of two capacities.
Another one year deal: On paper, this makes the most sense. I mean, if they weren?t going to sign him for two years last season, why would they do it this time? Regardless of how dominant Ortiz was in 2012, the fact that he sat out the last two months ? and did so with an injury that?s affected him for two straight seasons ? is a legitimate red flag. It?s a development worthy of a one-year deal. But while that approach will leave the Sox in a safer place financially, it?s not without risk. And by that, I mean Ortiz will NOT be happy. He?ll be spiteful and ornery.
If he signs the one-year deal and doesn?t perform, he?ll be criticized and ? as he has in the past ? take it way too personally. If he signs the one-year deal and plays like the guy we saw over the first three months of 2012, he?ll feel disrespected and ? as he has in the past ? won?t be shy about expressing his resentment. In terms of chemistry and clubhouse atmosphere, the one-year deal is a bit of a lose-lose situation. It represents a vibe and voodoo that the Sox are so desperate to leave in the past. And anyway, as much as they could use a guy with Papi?s power, power isn?t everything. Just ask the San Francisco Giants, who finished dead last in the majors this year with 103 home runs.
That brings us to the second and final option.
Give him the two year-deal: Call me crazy, but I think the Sox should do it. One major difference between this year and last year is that (thank you, Dodgers!) Boston has plenty of money lying around. They?re not up against the luxury tax or in a place where they?ll have to do something like, say, jettison the future NLCS MVP in the name of saving a buck. And while, given the disaster of previous moves like Carl Crawford and John Lackey, we?d all like and expect the Sox to be a little more frugal in the future, Ortiz is different. He?s not asking for a five- or seven-year deal that runs into nine figures and will handcuff the club moving forward. It?s two years and, at most, $25M. Let?s not forget that this is still an enormous market, one that can easily withstand that kind of hit. Relatively speaking, $25M is chump change. Of course, the fear is that Ortiz will break down again and, yeah, that would be unfortunate. But at this point, that risk is worth the reward. In other words, a happy David Ortiz. A guy who will feel he?s gotten his due and will have nothing to worry about other than baseball. In turn, maybe he re-discovers that youthful spirit, reaches back and pulls that infectious, fun-loving attitude out from the depths of darkness. Maybe Boston is re-introduced to Big Papi ? not the player but the personality. That guy can be a boon to any team, especially one in need of a major attitude adjustment. And on top of that, maybe he stays healthy? Maybe resting those last two months, and the following four months, is exactly what Ortiz needs to get his Achilles right? And if he?s healthy, there?s no reason to believe that he can? continue to play at a high level. Even if he can only do it for one more year, it will be worth it to have a happy and productive Ortiz. And worst-case: OK, you have to eat one year and $12.5M ? in return for allowing one of the most important and beloved players in franchise history to finish his career in Boston and retire with the Sox.
Why not, right?
Why not, indeed.
?
Rich can be reached at rlevine@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Rich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/rich_levine
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