152 replies to this topic

[StuckOnYouk]

I guess it's a question of do you just give him what he wants. If so, then go ahead I guess.

But if you want to put some reason and sanity in the contract you can't just hand him over something close to 2/28 or 2/29 (if report is to believed he wants close to what he just made for two years).

He will be 37 and 38 years old over the two years and he only played about half a year due to the achilles. I'm not a doctor, but I'm curious to what some of the SOSH docs think about the % likelihood that he re-injures the heel and is out a lengthy period of time over the next 2 years.

[MartyBarrettMVP]

Per Bradford:

Ortiz-Sox "very close" per source

https://twitter.com/...483885524606976

[The Gray Eagle]

Really, 2 years at 29M + is reasonable for Ortiz at this point in his career. What do you think he can get as a free agent? I would be shocked if he got 2 for 23M. He would be back in a RS uniform at 1 for 13.3. However, he wants a multi-year contract, which I completely understand. The RS can overpay and for marketing purposes may want to overpay. However, I think 2 @ 24 seems about right.

I think his request is reasonable from his point of view-- two more years at what he got paid this year. What's unreasonable about him asking for that? I think you actually agree: "However, he wants a multi-year contract, which I completely understand." So yeah, what he's asking for sounds reasonable, not crazy or really greedy, so it's likely that this story came from his side, not from the Red Sox side. Which was the point.

If he ends up leaving, then we will hear a lot from the Red Sox side about what Ortiz demanded. Hopefully it won't come to that.

[Paul M]

If they want to score runs and get back to grueling ABs and caring about OBP, it makes sense to bring back one of the best hitters that does this. And they need to re-establish some credibility which started with Farrell and this is the next logical move. For me, it was a slam dunk provided it's within the parameters of 2 years and $27-30 million. Sure, he's a risk for an injury but this team has been decimated for several years so maybe their approach needs to evolve in this regard too. They need to bridge to the next core and Ortiz makes a ton of sense and this is why I think Haren fits their m.o. too. It's a prudent move.

[Corsi]

Heyman:

David ortiz and #redsox are finalizing an agreement. Good to see great marriage stay together.

https://twitter.com/...492240724963330

[crystalline]

If they want to score runs and get back to grueling ABs and caring about OBP, it makes sense to bring back one of the best hitters that does this. And they need to re-establish some credibility which started with Farrell and this is the next logical move. For me, it was a slam dunk provided it's within the parameters of 2 years and $27-30 million. Sure, he's a risk for an injury but this team has been decimated for several years so maybe their approach needs to evolve in this regard too. They need to bridge to the next core and Ortiz makes a ton of sense and this is why I think Haren fits their m.o. too. It's a prudent move.

I agree with this. Last year, he was a very very elite hitter. He didn't qualify with only 383 PA, but his OPS+ was 171, behind only Posey and tied with Trout for 2nd in MLB amongst qualifiers.

There's huge risk: that he'll drop off, that he'll get injured. But two years is a fair amount of risk to take for his upside, in my view.
In fact I'd argue that the Red Sox should be in someone like Ortiz every year if that player was a FA.
A 37 year old hitter with a long history of being elite, past three years have been strong, has some injury history, finished with a 171 OPS+. You make that guy a rich 2 year offer with no question, because the other options you can sign for only money are either elite but young and require 8 year deals, or they're not good.

[JimBoSox9]

Why dick around over a couple million?

Because that's what you DO when you're negotiating in big business.

What happens before a player's contract is up can reflect on character and loyalty. The final outcome can reflect on character and loyalty. What happens in between is meaningless posturing. Hell, IIRC there were some pretty nasty things said about Jeter last time around and it doesn't seem to have had lasting impact.

[Corsi]

Bradford:

According to source familiar with the negotiations, once finalized Ortiz deal will be for two years for at least $26 million

https://twitter.com/...504109489606656

[MHead81]

It was just reported as official on CSNNE per McAdam. 2/$26M

[MHead81]

CSNNE's site says:

"David Ortiz has reached agreement with the Red Sox on a two-year, $26 million contract with incentives that could raise the value of the deal to $30 million."

[Edelpeddle]

Sounds like 2/26 with incentives that could make it worth 30.

http://www.weei.com/...multi-year-deal

[JimD]

Excellent news. This offseason continues to get better after the 13-month shitshow we went through.

[Yaz4Ever]

Sounds like a great deal for both sides. Glad to have Papi and hope to see him retire with our team.

[Ted Cox 4 president]

Good news--happy to hear this.

Next!

[SoxinSeattle]

Great deal for both sides. If Papi earns the extra 4M the Sox will be happy to pay it. Well done Ben C.

[aksoxfan]

I don't care about the $$$, but I am very happy Papi is returning.

[Joe Shlabotnick]

I'm Joe Shlabotnick and I approve of this deal.

[Flynn4ever]

Not a bad deal, maybe a tiny bit over market value, but we need a face of the franchise and this is worth 3-4 million I think. Happy to have Papi back.

[MyDaughterLovesTomGordon]

I'm very pleased. Great to see Ortiz show up at the Celts game, be psyched about his deal, keep a semblance of positive feeling around a shitty Celtics loss, and let everyone move forward. Really didn't want to deal with the media shitstorm that would have surrounded a FA tour.

[HillysLastWalk]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(allow me this one main board post that is devoid of everything but excitement).

[SoxLegacy]

Very glad to hear this news! Good for the team both on and off the field.

[The Gray Eagle]

Great move for the Red Sox and Ortiz. This may or may not work out for the team on the field for the full two years, but they had to do this to maintain some credibility with the fanbase. If they let Ortiz walk to another AL team over a couple million bucks after what went down this past 14 months, then who would even bother watching this team (other than the diehards on this message board)? At this point in time, there's no reason to not take this risk.

If they didn't spend this money on Ortiz, what else would they have done with it, bought John Henry a few more yachts? There's no other way to spend it to get a guy with Ortiz's upside and absolutely no way to spend it to generate as much positive feeling and goodwill with the business's customers.

If it doesn't work out on the field either this year or next, I hope no one gets their panties in a twist about this contract, it doesn't stop the team from doing anything else they feel like doing. It had to be done, realistically.

[Savin Hillbilly]

Perfect. There is no downside to this.

[Doctor G]

this is the right move to start off the offseason roster construction. it will reassure players under contract as well as fans that the team has its priorities in order.

David had to come first.

[xjack]

It's the right move on many levels. And it's not as if there's anything else worth spending money on in the free agent market.

[HangingW/ScottCooper]

i think it's time for me to finally buy a David Ortiz t-shirt.

[fineyoungarm]

Rarely before in the course of SoSH events have so many, including me, agreed so often and so strongly about a single issue. We are so screwed on this one.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Sounds perfect. Well done Ben and David.

[Lose Remerswaal]

Perfect. There is no downside to this.

So you've seen his MRI?


Yeah, it sounds good, but I'm really surprised to see such blind love to this deal. Certainly it could be a step forward, after many steps backwards, but this page looks more like the Remy Report than the Sons of Sam Horn I have grown old with.

[Scott Cooper]

I don't care about the overpay for Ortiz. The problems we have been having haven't been the $$ but the insane amount of years on the deals they've been making that has hamstrung them.

And since it's David Ortiz, I'll overpay just for his contributions in the past and the fact he was one of the best hitters in baseball last year before the achilles.

[seantoo]

I agree with your post except for this part. I sincerely believe that sentimentality is a consideration.

As we grow older we sometimes forget what it was like to be a kid and have sports heroes (if you have kids, you probably are reminded).

It's what makes us true fans, starting early. I remember losing Fisk, losing Lynn. Can you imagine what it would have meant if cold hard calculations dictated Yaz be let go when we were 10 years old? There are hundreds of similar examples across sports and across decades.

When someone like Ortiz establishes himself in the hearts of young Red Sox fans, it's a shame to explain to them, "baseball is a business" or "he was getting old, that's why we let him go to the Yankees...".

It's may not be the best reason for keeping a player, but sentimentality is one of the reasons.

I too remember Fisk, he was my favorite as a kid as well and I was at the game when they retired his number. There was a lot of sentiment in the stands that day. But 'When you listen to the fans in the stands you end up sitting beside them'. That paraphrashed statement (not sure whose it is) relates in part to sentiment. It is not the way to build a team. As a fan it's fine to have but not in the front office. Winning is business. You end up overpaying for yesterday's performance far more than tommorow. We see this occur far FAR more often than the otherway around. The "what about the kids is anyone thinking about the kids" angle scares me. The real world does not change because we have trouble explaining it to kids. In fact you should explain to your kids, "sorry son but this is the how the world works, we slow down and we are replaced and you have new rookies to root for, this will continue your whole life wether or not you like it, the teams that don't hold onto past success with both hands griping are the ones that are more likely to have future success". Maybe the Sox should have held onto Youks afterall who needs this Middlebrooks punk afterall? Sentiment would have had you trade Middlebrooks and held onto Youks. How is that working out?

[Average Reds]

So you've seen his MRI?


Yeah, it sounds good, but I'm really surprised to see such blind love to this deal. Certainly it could be a step forward, after many steps backwards, but this page looks more like the Remy Report than the Sons of Sam Horn I have grown old with.

I hear you, and I agree to a great extent.

At the same time - and without recounting things in gory detail - I think the reaction you are seeing is more about the perception of a return to some sort of normalcy for this franchise than a cold-blooded analysis of whether this is a great signing or not. And given that the difference between the kind of move that we would all heartily applaud from a financial perspective and the contract he actually signed is a perhaps a few million $$$, I think most here aren't going to worry that much.

The Red Sox have ensured that one of the icons of recent franchise history will (most likely) retire in a Sox jersey and they've done so without creating an unreasonable financial burden for themselves. I'm OK with just enjoying it for now.

[adam42381]

Papi got the two year deal he wanted. Ben didn't go crazy. Great deal for all involved. No complaints.

[MyDaughterLovesTomGordon]

So you've seen his MRI?


Yeah, it sounds good, but I'm really surprised to see such blind love to this deal. Certainly it could be a step forward, after many steps backwards, but this page looks more like the Remy Report than the Sons of Sam Horn I have grown old with.

Sometimes a deal really is good for both sides. I swear we could see a report headlined, "Sox offered gold bars in exchange for ham sandwich," and someone would chime in with: "Yeah, but gold bars are really heavy. Someone could hurt themselves loading them off the truck. And I really like ham sandwiches..."

As for the point about sentimentality above, it's not the only consideration, it's one of many. When you look at the pool of available FA, the currently signed players on the Red Sox, the talent in the minors, and the recent performance of the player and likelihood it will continue, you can then factor in a certain amount of sentiment and loyalty and the message it broadcasts to the fans.

At the end of the day, even ardent stat geeks and roster construction nerds and payroll optimization advocates like to enjoy the baseball games they watch every once in a while. I enjoy watching Papi play. He will absolutely be more likely to get me out to the ballpark and watch on Nesn and I'm sure I'm not alone. Does that mean he's worth $5-$10 million more to the Sox than he is to other teams? I think so. Is the extra money going to keep the Sox from doing anything else? I highly doubt it.

In the Middlebrooks-Youkilis example cited above, absolutely sentiment was a consideration, but did it outweigh the 2 or 3 extra wins Middlebrooks potentially represented over Youkilis? The apparent disconnect with the (admittedly doomed from the outset) manager? The relatively minor cost savings? The garbagey prospects that returned? Maybe not. In the end, Middlebrooks put up 1.5 oWAR in 75 games and then got hurt. Youks put up 1.3 oWAR with the White Sox in 80 games after the trade. Maybe the whole thing was a giant wash, but will end up saving some money down the line. Not everything can easily be chalked up in the win or loss column.

It's not, "what about the kids?!?!" It's, "what about the entertainment value x the message it sends to other free agents and the players in the clubhouse x the player's value as an ambassador for the team, etc." That's an unquantifiable sentiment, but I don't think any rational person can say those factors shouldn't be considered.

To say it should play no role I think just discounts human nature and the entertainment value of the sport in a way that defies reality.

Plain and simple, I'm excited to have Ortiz back.

[Savin Hillbilly]

So you've seen his MRI?

Of course not. When I said "there is no downside" I did not mean "nothing could possibly go wrong." I meant that this is the best solution I could imagine to this particular situation, and that I can't think of a reason to complain about it. It's a deal that is financially sustainable for the team even if Ortiz never recovers fully from the heel injury, and that will have positive repercussions for the club as it tries to market itself to other free agents.

[curly2]

Maybe the Sox should have held onto Youks afterall who needs this Middlebrooks punk afterall? Sentiment would have had you trade Middlebrooks and held onto Youks. How is that working out?

There is NO comparison between Youkilis and Ortiz's situations here, and sentiment has nothing to do with it.

The Sox got rid of Youkilis because they had a much younger, cheaper option capable of stepping in immediately and performing as well or better than Youkilis. There is no such player in house, or probably available for a two-year deal, who is capable of hitting in the middle of the order for the 2013 Red Sox in place of Ortiz.

If the Sox had a player at Pawtucket who had raked in the minors and had proven himself enough in the majors (like Middlebrooks did before Youkilis was traded) to be a realistic alternative to Ortiz, the Sox might not have made this deal. If the Sox had such a player and still given Ortiz this deal, you can be sure there would be a great debate on SOSH whether they made the right move.

[someoneanywhere]

There is NO comparison between Youkilis and Ortiz's situations here, and sentiment has nothing to do with it.

The Sox got rid of Youkilis because they had a much younger, cheaper option capable of stepping in immediately and performing as well or better than Youkilis. There is no such player in house, or probably available for a two-year deal, who is capable of hitting in the middle of the order for the 2013 Red Sox in place of Ortiz.

If the Sox had a player at Pawtucket who had raked in the minors and had proven himself enough in the majors (like Middlebrooks did before Youkilis was traded) to be a realistic alternative to Ortiz, the Sox might not have made this deal. If the Sox had such a player and still given Ortiz this deal, you can be sure there would be a great debate on SOSH whether they made the right move.

You're contesting a post making primarily the same point.

The sentiment issue is, I think, a little bit of people talking past each other. There clearly were -- undeniably -- issues beyond production and projected performance at work here. I see no real point in denying that. What is one person's idea of sentimentality is another person's idea of credibility. What the Sox paid extra for in this deal was the latter -- which is not only an intangible issue of regaining trust with the fans and with the players, but a tangible commercial property that translates into ticket sales, viewership, and merchandise.

They were horribly disappointing in 2011, and downright dislikably rank in 2012. Signing the signature player of the franchise is restorative. For evidence we need only look at the point Lose was making. Everyone on what is a typically contentious and sometimes cynically rancorous board wants to kiss the bag lady over this deal.

As do I, incidentally.

[Manramsclan]

About Ortiz from Gordon Edes latest article

• In the past three seasons (2010-2012), he trailed only Miguel Cabrera, Joey Votto, Jose Bautista and Josh Hamilton in on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS).
• In the past three seasons, he trailed only Cabrera, Votto, Bautista, Albert Pujols and Ryan Braun in OPS+, which measures OPS adjusted to a player's home park.
• In the past three seasons, he trailed only Cabrera, Bautista, Hamilton, Votto and Braun in slugging percentage.

• In the past three seasons, he trailed only Bautista, Giancarlo Stanton, Cabrera and Hamilton in isolated power (ISO), which measures the percentage of extra-base hits a player has.

That may be past performance, but it is the most recent past. Unlike other deals paying for past performance, this one is short and not prohibitive.

Big applause.

As for the sentimentality, I didn't want to see him in another uniform. I could care less about the children.

[In my lifetime]

Is this a slight overpay? Probably. But this is an overpay that is short term and the RS can easily afford without making a sacrifice somewhere else. In addition, as it has been on this board, the move has been almost unanomously lauded and thus the RS do not take a PR hit, which they can afford a lot less than a slight overpay here.

This doesn't mean that RS regardless of cost needed to sign Ortiz. But they managed to keep the cost within an acceptable range.

Nor does it mean that the RS are assured of getting a good return on their money in this deal considering Ortiz' age and recent health. But it is a very modest gamble and one that the RS at this level needed to take.

So congratulations to Ortiz for getting his well paid 2 year deal and well done to the RS for getting something positive done without mortgaging the future. A good deal for both parties.

[Buckner's Boots]

It feels like a slight overpay to me because we've been privy to the minor tweaks and injuries, and he's been a part of the last two disastrous seasons where he hasn't always been bathed in a golden glow.

For any other team in search of a steady left-handed power bat, this is not an overpay. I wouldn't be surprised if, had he gone to the open market, he would have commanded a healthy increase over what he got from the Red Sox. So in my book, this isn't an overpay.

[JimD]

I don't care about the overpay for Ortiz. The problems we have been having haven't been the $$ but the insane amount of years on the deals they've been making that has hamstrung them.

And since it's David Ortiz, I'll overpay just for his contributions in the past and the fact he was one of the best hitters in baseball last year before the achilles.

This. Looking at his 2003-2012 performance overall, the Red Sox have paid a very reasonable amount for the performance of one of the game's top DH's and a huge fan favorite to boot. His actual performance in 2013-2014 may be worth significantly less than $26 million, but the deal is still arguably fair based on his overall career. It's the right deal for the right guy at the right time.

[Spacemans Bong]

I couldn't care less if it was an overpay. Papi is still a fine hitter, and ratings and attendance are not going to go up if he's off the team because the Red Sox nickel and dimed him and the Rangers swooped in. The team is unlikely to contend next year as is and watching Papi 4 times a game gives people reason to tune in. That he's going to be a 3 and a half win player is going to help the club and their abacus too.

[TheoShmeo]

The "overpay" argument seems ridiculous to me. (I'm not replying to anyone here when I say that, to be clear.)

Consider:

- the points made by Edes

- the fact that Ben was paying a slight premium to keep Ortiz off the market

- how pathetic the Sox line-up looked last year without David and how much of a hole his absence would create this year (regardless of whether we deem the Sox a "contender" going into ST)

- how much he means to Sox fans

- how much it would have sucked to have seen Papi in another uniform and yes, in a Yankee uniform

I can't imagine many of the folks who are bashing the deal would, if placed in Ben's position, actually draw a line in the sand in negotiations at, say, $22 mm. Calling Cuza/Ortiz's bluff over around $6 mm over two years, in the context of the Sox payroll flexibility after the Punto deal, seems risky and unnecessary.

The only argument against the deal that resonates at all with me is the one made by people who would not have gone past one year in light of Papi's age and the perceived need to keep him fully motivated. I would have looked past those things and am glad that Ben did. But the argument to keep David at one year is harder to dismiss than the one that centers around some extra bucks.

In short, great job Ben and whoever else made this decision.

Edited by TheoShmeo, 04 November 2012 - 12:06 PM.

[maufman]

I can't imagine many of the folks who are bashing the deal would, if placed in Ben's position, actually draw a line in the sand in negotiations at, say, $22 mm. Calling Cuza/Ortiz's bluff over around $6 mm over two years, in the context of the Sox payroll flexibility after the Punto deal, seems risky and unnecessary.

The only argument against the deal that resonates at all with me is the one made by people who would not have gone past one year in light of Papi's age and the perceived need to keep him fully motivated. I would have looked past those things and am glad that Ben did. But the argument to keep David at one year is harder to dismiss than the one that centers around some extra bucks.

Exactly right. The question isn't whether Ben should have drawn the financial line on a 2-year deal somewhere else; it's whether he should have offered a 2-year deal at all. For me, the answer to that question depends on whether the Sox are willing to pay luxury tax in 2014 to bolster a contending team.

[judyb]

Exactly right. The question isn't whether Ben should have drawn the financial line on a 2-year deal somewhere else; it's whether he should have offered a 2-year deal at all. For me, the answer to that question depends on whether the Sox are willing to pay luxury tax in 2014 to bolster a contending team.

You actually think the Red Sox can accumulate enough talent worth spending that much money on that they might be back worrying about the luxury tax again by 2014?

[Corsi]

Ortiz contract 14m in 2013 11m in 2014 1m signing bonus

https://twitter.com/...500683774619648

#RedSox deal with @davidortiz for 2 years, $26 million. Incentives can bring value up to $30 million.

https://twitter.com/...500580666044416

[PrometheusWakefield]

The "overpay" argument seems ridiculous to me. (I'm not replying to anyone here when I say that, to be clear.)

Consider:

- the points made by Edes

- the fact that Ben was paying a slight premium to keep Ortiz off the market

- how pathetic the Sox line-up looked last year without David and how much of a hole his absence would create this year (regardless of whether we deem the Sox a "contender" going into ST)

- how much he means to Sox fans

- how much it would have sucked to have seen Papi in another uniform and yes, in a Yankee uniform

And: the quality of the current free agent market and the massive imbalance between the number of teams that look like spenders and the amount of talent around to spend it on.

Exhibit A: Michael Bourn thinks he's worth a $100 million contract.

By the end of this offseason I expect this will be one of the few reasonable contracts signed.

Edited by PrometheusWakefield, 05 November 2012 - 03:26 PM.

[SoxScout]

"No. 3, after he went on national TV to say what he said, he sent me a text message trying to tell me that it was the media trying to change things. I did not respond to the message and I said to myself, this guy must have some mental issues or needs medicine or something? I said, I am dealing with someone crazy and I am not going to drive myself crazy, so it is better if I leave it alone."

http://espn.go.com/b...were-contention

[TheoShmeo]

The Red Sox Press release:


For Immediate Release
November 5, 2012

RED SOX AND DAVID ORTIZ AGREE ON TWO-YEAR EXTENSION

Eight-time All-Star to return for 11^th and 12^th seasons with Boston

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox and star slugger David Ortiz agreed today on a two-year extension through 2014. Known to all as “Big Papi,” Ortiz, 36, played key roles in the World Championships of 2004 and 2007 and has amassed 401 lifetime home runs. In 10 years with the Red Sox, he has been an All-Star eight times.

“David Ortiz has made immeasurable contributions to the Red Sox for the past decade,” said Executive Vice-President/General Manager Ben Cherington, who made the announcement. “He is an historic figure, a beloved hero, and an important player as we build our team for 2013 and beyond.”

In 2012, he batted .318 with 23 home runs and 60 RBI, despite being limited to 90 games due to an injured right Achilles. The left-handed batter, primarily a designated hitter, led all Major Leaguers (with at least 350 plate appearances) in slugging percentage (.611) and led the American League in OPS (1.026). His eighth All-Star season in the past nine years ties him with Derek Jeter for the most in Major League Baseball during that time.

On July 4 in Oakland, he hit his 400^th career home run to become just the sixth ever to reach that mark while playing for the Red Sox.

“David Ortiz has been one of the most positive influences in Red Sox history,” said Principal Owner John Henry. “He has been a leader among his teammates, a favorite among the fans, and a powerful force in the middle of lineups that have produced so much joy and happiness for New England. He has our gratitude and respect as he continues a career that could culminate in Cooperstown.”

At the time he first went on the disabled list in 2012, Ortiz’s 65 runs scored were tied for the Major League lead. Among AL leaders, his extra-base hits ranked second (48), his home runs seventh (23), his RBI tied for 10^th (58), his walks tied for fourth (56) and his total bases third (195).

“We have all had the good fortune to have been Red Sox fans for more than ten years and to have seen David Ortiz transform from a baseball player into a revered hero,” said Chairman Tom Werner. “He connects with people, he cares about people, and is a role model not just for New England but for all of baseball. We are all thrilled that he will be continuing his stellar career with the Red Sox.”

With the Red Sox, Ortiz has hit 343 home runs, a total that trails only Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Rice, and Dwight Evans. His 1,088 RBI trail that same group plus Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr.

“Signing David Ortiz was a critical piece of our off-season planning,” said President/CEO Larry Lucchino. “It was one of our highest priorities. We hope and trust he will complete his career as a member of this franchise and will be associated with the Boston Red Sox for years to come.”

Ortiz also ranks in the Red Sox Top 10 in extra-base hits (5^th, 730), total bases (6^th, 2,899), doubles (6^th, 374), walks (6^th, 825), runs scored (9^th, 909) and hits (9^th, 1,470).

He ranks fourth in team history (min. 3,000 PA) with a .573 slugging percentage and a .962 OPS behind only Williams (.634, 1.116), Jimmie Foxx (.605, 1.034) and Manny Ramirez (.588, .999).

Since joining the Red Sox in 2003, Ortiz ranks second among Major Leaguers in slugging (min. 3,000 PA), trailing only Albert Pujols (.612). The Red Sox signed him as a free agent on January 22, 2003, after Minnesota released him.

Ortiz earned 2004 ALCS MVP honors after winning Games 4 and 5 with walk-off hits in Boston’s historic comeback from a 3-0 deficit in the best-of-seven series versus New York. He is the Red Sox career leader in postseason runs (39), hits (61), doubles (15), homers (12), RBI (43), total bases (116) and walks (41).

Ortiz, Pujols, and Alfonso Soriano are the only three Major Leaguers to tally at least 20 homers in each of the last 11 seasons (starting 2002). He is the only Red Sox player ever to record at least 20 home runs in 10 consecutive campaigns (starting 2003). He has hit at least 30 home runs in six seasons with the Red Sox, tied for second on the club’s all-time list behind Williams (8). His 10 grand slams with Boston rank second in club history after Williams (17) while his 37 multi-homer games are tied with Williams for the team record.

Ortiz owns a .285 batting average (1,863-for-6,539) with 482 doubles, 16 triples, 401 home runs, 1,326 RBI, 1,124 runs and 1,011 walks in 1,832 Major League games over 16 seasons with the Twins (1997-2002) and Red Sox (2003-12). His 401 home runs rank 50^th on baseball’s all-time list, ninth among active players and 20^th in American League history. Among actives, only Jim Thome (13) has more regular season walk-off home runs than Ortiz’s 10.

Ortiz garnered three consecutive Thomas A. Yawkey Awards as the Red Sox MVP from 2004-06 in a vote of Boston BBWAA members, and was the only player to rank among the top five in AL MVP voting in each season from 2003-07. This past September, Ortiz was named as the starting designated hitter on the All-Fenway Park Team as part of the ballpark’s 100^th Anniversary season.

Among designated hitters, he is the all-time Major League leader in doubles (410), home runs (353), extra-base hits (778), total bases (3,101) and RBI (1,147). Ortiz has earned the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award a record six times from 2003-07 and 2011. His five Silver Slugger Awards as DH (2004-07, 2011) are the most ever at the position.

He won the 2005 AL Hank Aaron Award, given to the top offensive performer in each league, after leading the Majors with 148 RBI. In 2006, he received the Josh Gibson Award, presented by the National Negro Leagues Museum to each league’s home run champion, after breaking Foxx’s Red Sox single-season home runs record with 54.

Known as much for his heart as his brawn, Ortiz won the 2011 Roberto Clemente Award, Major League Baseball’s highest honor for those who best represent the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field. That same year, he won the Boston BBWAA’s Tim Wakefield Award for his charitable spirit.

He created the David Ortiz Children’s Fund to provide critical pediatric services in New England and in his native Dominican Republic. In the Dominican, he has hosted an annual eponymous golf classic the past four years to benefit his foundation. In Boston, he has provided his time and other resources to Mass General Hospital for Children, donating tickets to patients from the hospital over the last four years as part of his “Papi’s Pals” program.

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[mabrowndog]

Press Conference right now on NESN.