Sawx pick up Papi.

[techs]

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/04/the-red-sox-exercise-david-ortizs-2011-option/

The Red Sox exercise David Ortiz’s 2011 option

Most people would consider it awesome when someone gives them $12.5 million, but I wonder if David Ortiz will feel that way. We’ll know soon, because the Red Sox just picked up his option for 2011. This after comments in the press in which he made it clear that he’d prefer a multi-year deal.

Of course if you’re Boston, this makes total sense. Ortiz had a good year last year but he could crater at any moment, just like any big slugger could. And of course, he’s had long stretches of poor performance these past two seasons, which could be a harbinger of such a cratering. Why on Earth would they go longer than one year? And while $12.5 million is a bit more than the going rate for a DH these days, if they refused to exercise the option, there would likely be a ton of teams willing to take a chance on a one year deal with Big Papi, on the theory that he could be their Jim Thome. Or better.



Holding on to faded glory, or a good deal for the Sawx?

 

[crownjules]

If Ortiz thinks he could make more than $12.5M somewhere else, he's very deluded. This past year he's shown he's still better than many against right handed pitching but he can't hit left handers for the life of him. And there's always the lurking danger that one day these "slumps" will become more than just slumps.

 

[Gibson486]

D: He is not worth that much now!

 

[preCRT]

Glad the Sox kept Big Papi, didn't want another Moss

 

[BeauJangles]

It depends on how you look at it.

Ortiz's skills are declining and what he brings to the table right now (~30 homers, lots of strikeouts) was available on the market last year for about $6 million (Vlad comes to mind). That being said, I think the biggest fear the Red Sox have is that he'll go to New York and take vengeance on the Sox.

In terms of value, Ortiz is probably worth half as much on the open market, but the Sox sit high on the win curve which means that a win to them is worth more than a win to most teams. They have a history with him and he's a fan favorite, all of which add some amount of value to his deal.

Clearly the best option here is sucking up the $3-$4 million they're overpaying him by and seeing what happens this coming season. A sharp decline in production, or another slow start, will probably kill his chances of a multi-year deal.

 

[SP33Demon]

They had to resign Papi after Beltre decided not to come back. Papi will be sending Beltre a nice fruit basket for xmas.

 

[acheron]

Didn't look like he would take a 1-year deal if they declined it, and I imagine they didn't want to go any longer than 1 year. They're overpaying, but they're less concerned about that than about the deal length.

 

[techs]

I think the Sawx would have let him walk, if not for the exodus of Mike Lowell to retirement and the almost certainty that Adrian Beltre wouldn't re-sign with them.
If Papi left the Sawx would have Youkilis, Martinez and Pedroia plus an inconsistent JD Drew. That's just not enough hitting.

 

[BeauJangles]

I think the Sawx would have let him walk, if not for the exodus of Mike Lowell to retirement and the almost certainty that Adrian Beltre wouldn't re-sign with them.
If Papi left the Sawx would have Youkilis, Martinez and Pedroia plus an inconsistent JD Drew. That's just not enough hitting.

The minute Papi started hitting again, it was clear they were going to exercise their option over him.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I can't believe how much better a team the Texas Rangers are than Boston. 55mil dollar payroll. Lol.

 

[zinfamous]

I say stick a fork in him...

 

[BeauJangles]

I can't believe how much better a team the Texas Rangers are than Boston. 55mil dollar payroll. Lol.

?

The Red Sox were competitive with the Yankees and Rays despite having injuries to 10 different starting players.

 

[techs]

I can't believe how much better a team the Texas Rangers are than Boston. 55mil dollar payroll. Lol.

Laugh now. After making it to the World Series their players will be in demand.
So, the Rangers will have to double their payroll, or go the way of the Marlins.

 

[SP33Demon]

I think the Sawx would have let him walk, if not for the exodus of Mike Lowell to retirement and the almost certainty that Adrian Beltre wouldn't re-sign with them.
If Papi left the Sawx would have Youkilis, Martinez and Pedroia plus an inconsistent JD Drew. That's just not enough hitting.

VMart most likely won't be back with Boston.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2...-red-sox-unlikely-to-re-sign-victor-martinez/

Youk/Pedroia/Drew/Ortiz is still imposing but losing VMart and Beltre are huge losses. But I'm sure Theo has something big up his sleeve like signing Carl Crawford with that 20+ million/yr that just opened up.

Edit: Yup, sure enough... http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2010/11/4/1793892/carl-crawford-red-sox-angels-free-agent

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Laugh now. After making it to the World Series their players will be in demand.
So, the Rangers will have to double their payroll, or go the way of the Marlins.

Most guys are under contract for at least next year. We got new ownership too. New owner is gonna bring payroll up to 90+ mil. Already confirmed that in an interview. Rangers ain't going nowhere. Lots of young guys and still have plenty in the farm system. Time for the new guard in American League. Boston and NY getting really long in the tooth.

 

[SP33Demon]

I can't believe how much better a team the Texas Rangers are than Boston. 55mil dollar payroll. Lol.

Texas will be at least 75 this year after re-signing Cliff Lee for 20/yr.

 

[geecee]

The Sox have to overpay Ortiz for a year. The Yanks will probably have to overpay Jeter for a few years to keep him, as his skills seem to be in decline, if this year is any indication. And I am a Yankee fan who likes Jeter for the most part. So I think the Sox did the smart thing.

 

[BeauJangles]

Most guys are under contract for at least next year. We got new ownership too. New owner is gonna bring payroll up to 90+ mil. Already confirmed that in an interview. Rangers ain't going nowhere. Lots of young guys and still have plenty in the farm system. Time for the new guard in American League. Boston and NY getting really long in the tooth.

Oh come on. Now you just sound ridiculous. The Rangers need to get Cliff Lee back and, even with him, they're going to have a strong challenge from the Angels. The Twins, the Yankees, the Rays, and maybe the Red Sox should all be in the mix, too.

The AL isn't exactly a ripe for the plucking.