November 5, 2016

Nowhere But Boston

If David Ortiz plays in 2017, he will play in Boston:

“As a formality, the club also exercised its 2017 contract option on designated hitter David Ortiz, who is still expected to retire this offseason.”

Now, it makes perfect sense why the team would do this. The extension that Ortiz signed prior to the 2014 season included team options for 2016 and 2017, the last of which would pay him $17.2 million. There has been no indication that Big Papi is having second thoughts about his desire to conclude his playing career, as he has repeatedly told the media throughout the year.

But if Ortiz did decide to pull a Roger Clemens or a Brett Favre, picking up his option ensures that he would be under contract with the Red Sox for 2017. And you can’t blame Boston for holding out at least a little hope, no matter how tiny, that he has a change of heart. Especially after the kind of season he just had.

It also prevents an opponent from luring him to play against Boston. Ortiz should accept the option and make the Red Sox cut him, so he collects all the money. It would be the easiest $17 million a player ever made.

2 thoughts on “Nowhere But Boston

  1. Ryan

    Why would they cut him? He would either play or get put on the restricted list and not get paid.

    ReplyReply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *