MLB Rumors: With Red Sox Mess, Does David Ortiz Want to Be a Yankee in 2012?
October 13, 2011 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Since September 1, it hasn’t been a good time to be a fan of the Boston Red Sox.
After being in the lead for the entire month for the American League Wild Card, they completely collapsed, went 7-20 for the month and watched the Tampa Bay Rays take the final playoff spot on the final day of the season.
Then, long-time manager Terry Francona and the organization decided to part ways.
Next, long-time general manager Theo Epstein has left the organization to sign a five-year deal with the Chicago Cubs to be their general manager.
And the latest, a story on ESPN reported that Jon Lester, John Lackey and Josh Beckett, Boston’s starting pitchers, were partying in the locker room while the team was in the middle of the September collapse.
Oh, and throw in the fact that the Boston management also said that Francona was too distracted during the season because of marriage issues.
Sounds like a fun place, huh?
Could that be why long-time designated hitter and Boston iconic hero David Ortiz could want out of Boston, as he enters free agency?
In an interview and story with ESPN’s Colleen Dominguez, Ortiz sounded like he was tired of the drama in Boston, saying “There’s just too much drama, and I don’t know if I want to be a part of it.”
That, to me, sounds like Ortiz wants no part of being a part of the Red Sox in 2012.
When the reporters asked if he would have interest in playing for the New York Yankees, Ortiz didn’t come out and openly say he would play in New York, but he didn’t say no either.
His exact quote was, “It’s a good situation to be involved in. Who doesn’t want to be involved in a great situation where everything goes the right way?”
It sounds like Big Papi is open to playing in the Bronx. But it also sounds like the long-time designated hitter is open to playing anywhere in the American League next year.
Ortiz hit .309 with 29 home runs and 96 RBIs in 2011, and was an American League All Star.
Would the Yankees even be interested in the Boston slugger, who will turn 36 this coming November?
It wouldn’t be the first time a high-profile Boston player came and played for the Yankees.
We saw Wade Boggs do it in 1993. As did Roger Clemens in 1999. And Johnny Damon did in 2006. In all honesty, it wouldn’t shock me one bit to see Ortiz do it in 2012.
Hell, we can even go as far back with this when Babe Ruth was sold by the Red Sox to the Yankees in 1920, which prompted the “Curse of the Bambino” for 86 years.
The Yankees do have an opening at the designated hitter spot, as we all expect Jorge Posada to either retire or not come back to the team and play elsewhere next season.
They do have Jesus Montero, but I can’t see the Yankees keeping a 20-year-old kid as their full-time DH.
But would it make sense to sign a 36-year-old, who can’t play anywhere in the field and can only DH?
Ortiz is a first basemen by trade, but who remembers the last time Ortiz played on the field? I can’t.
Brian Cashman has tried very hard to make the Yankees a younger team, but they have also failed short of winning a World Series in the last two seasons.
A lot of that playoff failure has to do with lack of clutch-hitting, something that may have sealed Nick Swisher’s fate as a Yankee.
We all know what kind of hitter Ortiz has been in past postseasons.
If not for Ortiz and the clutch hits and home runs he had back in the 2004 ALCS against the Yankees (.387, three home runs, 11 RBIs), the Yankees monumental collapse that year never happens.
Now, we all know Ortiz isn’t the same hitter he once was that struck fear into every opposing hitter.
In a three-year span, few hitters in baseball had season like Ortiz:
- In 2004—Averaged .301, 41 home runs, 139 RBI and fourth in the MVP voting.
- In 2005—Averaged .300, 47 home runs and 148 RBI and second in the MVP voting.
- In 2006—Averaged .287, 54 home runs and 137 RBI and third in the MVP voting.
And now, Boston could be really close to losing one of its most iconic hitters. And maybe to its enemy if Ortiz chooses to.
The Yankees know they could really stick it to the Boston fans and management by nabbing one of its best players.
But we have to go back to the Yankees wanting to interest in Ortiz. Would they want him for 2012?
And would Ortiz really want to play for the Yankees.
My gut says that Ortiz would definitely be open to playing in the Bronx. And, I think Yankees’ management is skeptical on the idea of bringing in Big Papi, but would do it because he brings such a huge name value to the organization.
I think after the Ortiz interview, it’s pretty safe to say that his days in Boston may in fact be over.
Will the chaos and mess of Boston be enough to drive Big Papi to the Yankees?
Only time will tell this winter. Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.
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