Red Sox slugger David Ortiz sat down for an interesting interview with Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports. His retirement tour has turned into a show of force, as the 40-year-old entered the day with a .311/.395/.674 slash that places him among the game’s most productive bats. He maintains that he’s “happy with the decision” to call it quits, citing wear and tear and family considerations, though he did drop an intriguing note to Passan. “Like I said, I’m good with the decision that I made right now,” said Ortiz. “But would you leave $25 million on the table? I don’t want nobody to offer me that.” Before leaping to conclusions, it’s worth recalling that Boston has a club option that could reach a maximum of $16MM in value, but it’s certainly hard to ignore the fact that Ortiz still seems as capable as ever of doing damage at the plate.
Here’s more from the AL East:
- Thus far in 2016, everything has come together for Hanley Ramirez in his second season with the Red Sox, as Rob Bradford of WEEI.com writes. His offensive production has caught up with the good vibes that his sunny attitude and smooth transition to first had already produced. At this point, the remaining $44MM on his contract looks like a reasonable investment, with Ramirez looking like an option at first and/or as a replacement for the outgoing Ortiz in the DH slot.
- Red Sox reliever Carson Smith has been slowed by ongoing elbow soreness, as Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald was among those to report on Twitter. That’s limited his availability recently, and has made another DL stint a possibility. As Alex Speier of the Boston Globe explores, the Boston pen hasn’t had quite the late-inning pop that was expected, particularly given Smith’s limitations and evidence of decline in Koji Uehara. The unit as a whole has still been plenty solid, but it’s still an area to watch for an organization that obviously hopes to make a deep run in 2016.
- The Orioles face a tough call on lefty Brian Matusz, writes Dan Connolly of BaltimoreBaseball.com. He’s been hit hard after missing time early due to injury, giving up a lethal combination of free passes and home runs, though he says he’s healthy now. Connolly ticks through the options, which include simply placing Matusz on outright waivers. His $3.9MM salary is sure to clear, but the 29-year-old could keep his guarantee and reject an assignment. But unless a DL opportunity presents itself, Baltimore will otherwise be resigned to giving him a chance to pitch through his difficulties.
- Though he’s spent almost the entirety of the season on the DL, Franklin Morales is now guaranteed $2MM from the Blue Jays, as Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca explains in a tweet. The southpaw’s advance consent date has passed without action, so Toronto can no longer avoid the rest of the contract by cutting him loose.
Matusz would most likely decide to become a free agent should he get sent through waivers, but he’s been just brutal. Buck likes him so he’s probably got a longer leash, and he’s the only other lefty in the pen besides Britton. So unless the O’s are hot on the trail of Joe Beimel or some other LOOGY, I think Matusz sticks around for another month or two. Hope he gets better, though.
Edwing to the Red Sox, calling it
> Edwing to the Red Sox
Will the Red Sox pay $25M/Y and give up a first-round draft pick for a DH when DH seems to be Sandoval’s position going forward?
Sandoval would have to be able to hit before he could be a DH. I expect they’ll eat the contract.
Who is edwing?
Edwin Encarnacion of Blue Jays.
Sox should trade Hanley for pitching. Maybe go after Ian Kennedy or Cole Hammels in trade.
Why would Texas trade their best pitcher?
The difference between ian Kennedy and Cole hamels is like the difference between north and south Korea.
Why would the Royals trade a guy they just signed for big money
Ortiz is not leaving a ton of money on the table. He’s just switching the services for which he will get paid. He’s going to earn $25MM a year in endorsements/commercials, autograph fees, appearances, and speaking engagements. Beisbol has been BERRY BERRY good, to jhim.
Ortiz is having observable trouble running. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have much left in the tank. It’s nice to ask him to come back again next season, but he’s retiring for a reason. His legs are shot.
I’m sure in a twisted way he’s a bit disappointed he’s hitting so well… gonna make sticking with his decision to retire a bit harder.
Still, it’s May. If the season was two months long everybody would play until they’re 55 years old. That’s where his age will hurt… grinding away for several more months.
That’s true. Although Farrell has been treating him with kid gloves for a while. He will get tired. And he may only be playing this well BECAUSE he’s retiring. He wants to leave everything on the field.
Ortiz Jose