David Ortiz has had a very interesting couple of days.
First he was talking about getting a contract extension before the Home Run Derby on Monday. Then he went out and won the Derby. To cap his All Star Experience he went 1 for 2 with a single and a strikeout and was forced out at second from right field following the single in the 9th inning of an AL loss. I’d call that a roller-coaster couple days.
Winning the Derby was a nice moment, especially in his speech after when he dedicated it to fallen friend Jose Lima, who died suddenly earlier this year. This was the fourth time Ortiz has participated in the Home Run Derby and his, as well as the Red Sox, first win.
Ortiz hit a total of 32 home runs -- 8 in the first round, 13 in the second and 11 in the final, defeating Hanley Ramirez of the Marlins, 11-5. Average home run distance by round: 403 feet, 432 feet and 410 feet for a combined 13,340 feet (just over 2.5 miles) with the longest going 478 feet.
Now the base running gaff is forgivable. Ortiz is not known for his speed and he did need to make sure right fielder Marlon Byrd didn’t catch the soft flair off the bat of John Buck.
The biggest news though was Ortiz talking about his need for a contract extension.
“I’m going to tell you, I ain’t going nowhere,” Ortiz said Monday night, “I don’t want one year. Why should I return for one year and go through the same [stuff] I’m going through now, just because it’s my last year? No. I like to be left alone when I’m playing baseball. I know how to clean my [stuff] up.”
The Sox have a team option on Ortiz for 2011 worth $12.5 million but its clear Ortiz want more and its not hard to see why.
Ortiz had a rough year last year, despite ended up with pretty good numbers (.238 ave, 28 HR, 99 RBI .332 OBP) though they were no where near his best. His struggles were multiplied by the steroid allegations that surfaced mid season.
His struggles continued with a cold start to the 2010 season but he has turned it around (.263 ave, 18 HR, 57 RBI, .562 slugging, .384 OBP through 74 games) and there is no better win for a power hitter then the Home Run Derby.
Despite the success, Ortiz is 35 and the market for aging designated hitters is not good. Valdimir Guerrero went from $15 million last year to $6.5 million when he signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers. His replacement in Anaheim, Hideki Matsui, dropped from $13 million the year before with the New York Yankees to $6 million. He hasn’t hit over 40 homeruns since 2006 or over 100 RBI since 2007, also the last year he hit over .300.
Ortiz is on very thin ice with the Red Sox fan base, if the feeling of Boston radio is any barometer. All it will take is a bad week, say 3 for 19 with 8 strike outs, for the Red Sox hopeful to turn. The Sox diehards are just looking for something to jump on. Earlier this season Ortiz spoke out about all the bad blood and negative press with an expletive filled rant.
With the trade deadline looming, the future of Ortiz could be addressed. If the Sox make a move for a power hitter like Prince Fielder or Adrian Gonzalez, Ortiz’s tenure with the Sox is over. I don’t see that as a possibility but they have been known to pull of the occasional blockbuster deal.
I have been a long time Ortiz supporter (I’m wearing his jersey in my picture) and it would be tough to see him go. With the year he is putting in right now he deserves an extension, though at a discounted rate. I hope he is back with the Sox with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove.
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