Ortiz says Red Sox need another slugger
Posted by Rob Bradford
David Ortiz just spoke at Fenway Park, appearing to promote his charity golf tournament. Here is what he said:
(Regarding his wrist):Â ”I know it’s going to feel fine. It’s feeling better. I had inflammation at the end of the season, but it went away. Just like the doctors said, you take a month, a month and a half without swinging, you feel fine.
“There’s one thing I can control is what I time I go to sleep. That’s it. After that there are a lot of things you’re not going to be able to control, and injuries are one of them. You have to just deal with it and suck it up.”
(Did he feel like he was missing a lot of pitches he normally hits in October):Â ”Oh yeah. It wasn’t only October, it was since I got back I was missing a lot of pitches.”
(Do the Red Sox need another middle of the order hitter):Â ”I think so, I think so. Especially our division the pitching is improving a lot and next year, let me tell you, you’re going to have to face a lot of good pitching.
“We just need a few guys in the bullpen and another 30 home run guy and we’ll be all set.”
(Regarding the possibility of acquiring free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira):Â ”I haven’t thought about it because we have Mikey, we’ve got Youk. Mike just had surgery so you don’t know what’s going to happen, hopefully he comes back healthy. You definitely need to find another guy who can produce here.”
(About his concern regarding what moves the Yankees might make):Â ”All I know something crazy is going to happen out there. I know they’re going to do something because of the situation they have right now. That’s why we need to get stronger too.”
(Does he think Manny Ramirez will end up with the Yankees): “I don’t think so. I don’t think it will happen. I never heard Manny talking about that, about going to New York. I really think he will stay in the National League.”
(When was the last time he talked to Ramirez):Â ”Been a while.”
(Regarding the how the Red Sox finished up):Â ”Nobody said you’re going to win every year. Things have to happen for you to get better.
“We wasn’t the best team this year. We had a lot of injuries, we had our ace hurting, we got some key (players) missing. But we still show we can beat people up. We beat the best team in baseball, the Angels, and we were like 70-75 percent.”
(On if he thought the Red Sox would have won it all with Ramirez):Â ”I don’t know. Probably, probably not. I’ll leave it up to you.”
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I’d like to see Papi commited to a program similar to the one Manny & Pedrioa have, in the off-season. IMO, w/ that big looping swing, when he begins to lose bat speed, the fall off will be far, and fast.
Don’t think he’s there yet, but a commitment to being in the best shape can’t hurt, especially with two years and an option year left at $12.5M per, and considering his importance in the middle of the order.
With 2 CFers under contract, JD in RF, and Bay at a very reasonable 7.5M for 2009, no room for a run producer there, w/o a trade of one of them…Youk is locked into one of the corner positions, and a healthy Lowell take the other. Pedroia’s locked down at 2B…that leaves catcher & SS, where there are no FA “run producers” of the ilk to which I believe Papi is referring…and the matter of Lugo’s contract, and Tek’s FAgency to sort through, in any event.
See “health”, or return to health as the case may be, and the development of the younger talent - especially Ellsbury - as the most important factor as far as 2009 and the Sox offense, and only the Sox themselves (and perhaps one certain biographer ;-D) have the insight/information/access to track Lowell’s rehab, and evaluate his status RE the start of the 2009 season, and options that may be tied to that.
George from Warwick
11 Nov 08 at 2:34 pm
I LOVE PAPI !!
bosoxyaz8
11 Nov 08 at 7:03 pm
If Ortiz is healthy and puts up great numbers, they should be in a pretty good position. Drew, Youk, Lowell, and Bay should all hit more than 20 home runs this upcomming year. Pedroia may get to that level too. Instead of that 35/40 HR guy, they have 4 guys who can hit at least half of that if not more. However, they still have a weak lower part of the lineup. They need to find a permanent SS and a catcher who gives them some production. Lugo is essentially a waste of a roster spot and I can’t envision him factoring into their plans much. Those two needs are probably the most pressing at this moment. Also, Ellsbury’s performance will be critical for success in 2009. If he hits, they score runs easily. If not, then its makes it much harder.
Wayne Viktorius
11 Nov 08 at 8:11 pm
Sign Texiera, juggle Lowell or trade him.
Tex is a 2 time Gold Glove 1st baseman.
Youk likes to play 3rd. It’s where he played most of his life.
Oh, and Theo, an extention for Jason Bay would be great. His agent says Bay wants to stay in Boston.
Bay has been a perfect fit here. Let’s keep him.
RodfromCranston
11 Nov 08 at 9:11 pm