With the World Series now over, the Red Sox have until midnight on Friday morning to decide if they are going to activate the one-year, $12.5 million option on David Ortiz for 2011. A few years ago, this would've been a no-brainer. It's not such an easy decision now.
Everything has changed for Big Papi's position on the Red Sox in recent years. He is now 34 (turning 35 this month) and has had to battle back from brutal starts in each of his last two seasons. And battle he did, becoming one of the league's most prolific home run hitters over the last four months of the season in both 2009 and 2010.
That said, the designated hitter isn't held in the same regard it once was. Gone are the days when all the top teams had a high-priced, aging slugger making $10 million or more to step up to the plate four or five times a game. Instead, teams look at the DH position as a place to rotate position players through, a spot to give an everyday player a sort of night off without taking his bat out of the lineup.
Those who do hold onto the traditional DH spot are making much less. Vladimir Guerrero made $6.5 million for the AL Champion Texas Rangers this season. The Rangers just declined their $9 million option on Guerrero, thinking that was too much money. They're hoping to bring him back for less.
This, undoubtedly, is what the Red Sox would like to do with Ortiz. A two-year contract with some $13 million would make a lot of sense … if Ortiz were willing to accept it. It would appear he's not.
Ortiz has spoken publicly about wanting a longer-term deal, saying he doesn't want to live through the possibility of another bad start with no security beyond this year. He thinks the fans would get on him even worse than they did the past two Aprils.
Would the Sox actually be willing to let Ortiz walk? It would be a bold, stunning move. They would need to move quickly to replace his offense — Guerrero or Adam Dunn are two guys who come to mind — and would be letting one of the most important figures in the history of the franchise walk away.
And Ortiz might ultimately walk to the Bronx. With that ridiculously short porch in right field, Big Papi could find his swing rejuvenated in The Palace That George Built. He might even play with a little added motivation in those 18 games against the Sox, too.
Which might be the biggest reason the Sox won't let him walk. Yes, he's overpriced. Yes, his OPS was .460 points lower against lefties than it was against righties (and he only hit two homers against left-handed pitching.) Yes, he could become a major distraction if he thinks a one-year option is disrespectful to a man who has done so much for the organization.
Despite all of that, the thought of him spitting into his gloves while wearing pinstripes might be too much to take. Which is why, even if it isn't the shrewdest business move in the game, the Sox need to find a way to keep him around for at least one more season.
Should the Red Sox pick up David Ortiz's option?online survey
