The end of the road for David Ortiz
Posted by Andy on May 5, 2010
Last night David Ortiz went 0-for-4 in the Red Sox game, with 2 strikeouts and 2 groundings into a double play. He left 7 runners on base.
In the Boston media, there has been a lot of chatter that major moves for the team are forthcoming, including possible releases of Ortiz and Tim Wakefield.
Let's hear what you think is going to happen with David Ortiz. Please vote in the poll below and add your comments.
May 5th, 2010 at 7:23 am
There's no way they're going to outright release either of Ortiz or Wakefield during the year. Their roles will probably be diminished greatly, but you don't just release two guys who have been gigantic parts of your organization. They probably won't be around next year, but they will make do this year.
May 5th, 2010 at 7:56 am
I can't believe they'd release Wakefield after last year. Given the kind of spring Dice-K has had, the Red Sox are going to need a sixth starter available to jump in. Ortiz, on the other hand, I could see them brushing away. I hope that Francona has a bit more class than to release a guy that central to success over the past six years. I'm rooting for a suspicious injury and then an extended rehab assignment in Pawtucket. Whatever they do, having Lowell and Tek hitting well right now is definitely going to make it easier to have Ortiz not around.
May 5th, 2010 at 8:42 am
"...but you don't just release two guys who have been gigantic parts of your organization."
Not that it directly relates, but the Yankees just flat released Phil Rizzuto back in 1956 when he just couldn't do it anymore. The Red Sox have also shown, under Epstein, that they are not dominated by sentimentality. Truth be told, I would be surprised if they released Ortiz, but anything is possible.
May 5th, 2010 at 9:15 am
The Red Sox won't eat Ortiz's salary just to have someone else pay him the minimum. It's only been one month so give them some time.
May 5th, 2010 at 9:17 am
The steroid investigation -- and subsequent drying up of the anabolics / HGH supply market -- was terrible timing for Ortiz as he just missed cashing in on one last Bonds/A-Rod/Manny/Bagwell type contract.
Not that I feel that sorry for him. I guess he will have to console himself with his tiny testicles and a mere $58M in career earnings plus two WS rings.
May 5th, 2010 at 9:18 am
As much as I dislike beer-league guys taking up major league roster spots, I think the Red Sox have to keep David Ortiz, at least until they find another way to push some runs across.
May 5th, 2010 at 10:11 am
Simple solution for Red Sox management:
1) Build a time machine
2) Go back in time just before his last contract, and reduce his contract by one year
3) Set the time machine for just before Opening Day of 2010
4) Problem solved!
May 5th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Assuming Ortiz never makes the Hall of Fame (his candidacy has questionable merit, steroid issues notwithstanding), he will join a very short list of players with three 135+ RBI seasons not in the HOF:
Eligible for HOF: Vern Stephens (3)
Newly Eligible or Not Yet Eligible: Sammy Sosa (4), Ryan Howard (4), Manny Ramirez (3), Juan Gonzales (3), Alex Rodriguez (3), Ken Griffey Jr. (3), David Ortiz (3)
May 5th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Awesome find, Kelly.
May 5th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Of course the interesting thing about that list is only one has been free from steroid accusations (Griffey, even Howard has been accused). I agree that Ortiz's candidacy has question merit. Even without the (kinda) admission of steroid or HGH use, his period of being REALLY good only lasted 5 years.
May 5th, 2010 at 10:54 am
questionable*
May 5th, 2010 at 10:58 am
I voted for the DL option. The sad fact is that he can't hit the fastball anymore ... but the guy was a titan. The Sox need to treat him as well as possible.
May 5th, 2010 at 11:14 am
The loyalty issue is an interesting one. I am going to write a separate little opinion piece on this.
May 5th, 2010 at 11:37 am
I voted "other," I think he'll platoon against righties but rarely, if ever, hit against lefties again. This has been the recent trend with Mike Lowell and I think it will continue. The Red Sox don't have deep sentimentality, as Pat D notes, but Nomar was creating clubhouse issues. Unless Ortiz becomes unruly, I don't see him getting cut.
May 5th, 2010 at 11:59 am
It kills me because David Ortiz is one of the very few athletes I love unconditionally but he's cooked. It's time to go.
You simply cannot give a roster spot let alone a lineup spot let alone the DH slot to a guy who simply cannot hit any more.
Unless he improves and improves quick he's going to get released at some point. It will suck horrendously but be the right decision.
I'm almost rooting for him to blow out a knee or something so he can rehab a bit then retire with a bit more dignity.
May 5th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
To those who watch him often: Does Ortiz look worse/different than he did the first couple months of last season?
May 5th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
I'd say he looks similar. He still looks like he has an injury somewhere in his upper body--arm, wrist, torso...something. But he denies having any such injury.
May 5th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Found out by accident the Tigers cut Norm Cash in August 1974, which paired with Ortiz and his struggles raises the question:
Who was the last 10-5 player to be released by a team during the course of a season?
May 5th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Didn't we have a thread like this for Andruw Jones, Ivan Rodriguez and Paul Konerko a couple of years ago?
Jeez people it is May 5. last year he had 1 HR Thru may and he finished with 28. Remember the words of the great british philosopher John Cleese in Monty Pyton and the Holy Grail".
"I'm not dead yet"