Without David Ortiz, the Red Sox might not have won the World Series last year. Or in 2007. Or in 2004. He has come up with more clutch home runs or hits in general than probably any other major league hitter over the past decade.
So when the 38-year-old slugger asks for a contract for 2015, before the 2014 season has even started, maybe he deserves it.
There are 750 players on Major League Baseball rosters, and Ortiz is one of only a few who, in his situation, deserve to be paid in the future without knowing what the upcoming season will bring.
To clarify the situation, David Ortiz is entering the second year of a two-year contract. He has an injury history ”“ as any 38-year-old player does ”“ and at his age, another one could be very likely. This offseason, Ortiz has made it known that he would like an extension to his contract.
But Ortiz is asking for just one more year, unlike the multi-year, six- and seven-figure contracts the Atlanta Braves just gave shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who has just one full year of major league experience under his belt, or the Cincinnati Reds just gave starting pitcher Homer Bailey, who lost more games than he won last year.
And despite the bad precedent it might set for other players, especially older ones, wanting extensions or new contracts before their current contract is completed, Ortiz deserves it. And he should get it.
Baseball players, and really all professional athletes, want to be paid for what they’ve done in the past. Teams have to consider what a player will do in the future when making a contract offer. Ortiz’ future is a big unknown, as at 38 years old, Father Time is not on his side as an athlete. Paying an aging player for two years down the road, when you don’t know how the upcoming 162-game season will play out, is a big risk.
It’s a risk, however, that the Red Sox should take. Ortiz proved in 2013 ”“ with a .309 batting average, 30 home runs and 103 RBIs, not to mention a .688 average in the World Series ”“ that he is far from finished. Hitting 390 home runs (combined regular season and postseason) in a Red Sox uniform, and bringing three World Series trophies to a city that waited 86 years for just one, has earned Ortiz an extra year.
Many baseball writers, sports talk radio hosts and fans alike have complained about how Ortiz has complained this offseason. And in their defense, it might not be the noblest route of getting an extension. But the man nicknamed “Big Papi” has been in this position before. It seems like ever since the Red Sox won their second World Series of the century in 2007, Ortiz has had to fight for even just one- or two-year deals. Apparently hitting at least 23 home runs in every season in a Red Sox uniform doesn’t mean anything.
Ortiz has pointed out this offseason that younger players who put out that same kind of production ”“ and sometimes less ”“ have asked for, and received, multi-year contracts worth $25-35 million a year. Ortiz said he is looking for just one year at “half of that.” No other power hitter has done as much to win three World Series titles since 2004 as Ortiz.
If Ortiz doesn’t get the one-year extension he is looking for in the near future, it could become a distraction for the whole team. And as proved by the 2012 Red Sox (the bad), and the 2013 Red Sox (the good), a distraction could get ugly. Last year’s Red Sox, who won the World Series, had harmony in the clubhouse. The 2012 Red Sox, well, not so much.
Paying Ortiz the relatively small amount he is looking for ”“ The Red Sox won’t be hurting if they pay him what he wants ”“ would continue to keep the clubhouse a happy place.
David Ortiz has done so much for the Red Sox, and now it’s time the Red Sox do something for him. Pay Big Papi.
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Today’s editorial was written by Sports Writer Wil Kramlich on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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