It's no secret that David Ortiz was looking for a multiyear contract this offseason, but now the long-time Red Sox DH isn't optimistic about getting one. Ortiz told reporters (including WEEI.com's Rob Bradford) at tonight's Boston BBWAA dinner that he doesn't expect the two sides to reach a deal before an arbitration hearing.
"It doesn't seem like it right now," said Ortiz when asked about a potential contract. "From a business standpoint, that's how it goes … I've been watching from the outside."
Ortiz also downplayed the arbitration process, saying "it doesn’t seem like [a big deal] to me." The 36-year-old slugger accepted arbitration last month rather than try his luck on the open market, and earlier this week he filed for a $16.5MM salary while the team countered with $12.65MM. He hit .309/.398/.554 with 29 homers while earning $12.5MM in 2011.
Earlier this offseason we learned that the Sox did offer Ortiz a two-year contract, though it was only worth $18MM. Arbitration hearings start in February, though the two sides can come to an agreement on a contract of any size before then.
Good thing arb panels use things like fiding and baserunning when they make their decisions and not just batting average and home runs and rbis… Oh wait….
I’m not even a Red Sox fan. However, when you look at what he’s done for so many years, his production has still been excellent, though he’s dropped off some in recent years. I think he deserves to win in arbitration, and I think he will win. The team has offered him a miniscule raise. I just don’t see him losing, imho.
if he is here for this year enjoy it cause i dont see him signing here next year ortiz likes the money trail too much cya david its been fun go out and put in a good year none the less
ped testing not done in boston?
12.65 really wasn’t a good arb figure and they almost certainly stand to lose that hearing.
i understand what their argument is going to be, but arbitrators probably won’t
Ortiz has nothing to lose for this year by going to arbitration. He’s
either going to get paid a gigantic amount of money, or an even more
gigantic amount of money. But, there is some potential risk in it for
him if he doesn’t settle on a two year deal. The market is moving away
from immobile no-position DH’s. Right now you still have Vlad and Mastui, etc. You can sign Pena, who can still play first base fairly well, and Damon, who can play outfield some and still can run. Thome came very cheap for Philly. None of them are as good hitters, at this stage, as Ortiz. But Boston already has a great offense, and it has some younger players who are going to need to be paid more. This time next year, Boston’s front office is going to have to decide if they want to allocate an eight figure salary to that roster slot, with all the possible luxury tax implications. The Red Sox are a very well run organization, and while I think they take sentiment into account, my guess is they won’t break the bank for it. Ortiz is a sunk cost for 2012. He’s an optional expense for 2013.
This guy is a punk for accepting arbitration. Punk move by Ortiz. He should be worth Vlad money ~2M or less.
WAR last year:
Ortiz: 4.2
Vlad: 0.0….in other words, ZERO
Next.
I’m pretty sure Papi’s gonna win this case.
Too bad he’s not one of the aging DH’s left on the market… he’s the one I actually COULD see protecting Cabby for the Tigers since Victor went down.
Go home and put your feet up, Big Slapi, before you get caught being on the juice again.