Friday, December 13, 2013

Day 257: World Series MVP Not Looking to Retire Anytime Soon

David Ortiz is 38 years old and doesn't appear to be slowing down in his role as the designated hitter for the Red Sox. At an age when a lot of baseball players are starting to suck a little bit and maybe thinking about moving on to a new career, Ortiz is still kicking high and hard. (That made me giggle a little bit because try to picture Big Papi doing a Rockette-style high kick... Right?)

In 2012, Ortiz signed a two-year, $30 million contract that will keep him in Boston through the 2014 season. But it's obvious that he would prefer to stay in Boston—this is his "f$%#ing city" after all. And after coming back to the lineup sooner than imagined, then shocking the world with numbers no one expected, it's only natural that Big Papi would like to secure a contract extension sooner rather than later. I think I would feel better too.

Ortiz was a machine last season. He missed just a couple of weeks early in the season while recovering from the achilles injury and reentered the lineup like it was no big deal. He batted .309 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs with a .959 OPS in 2013. Not bad for a guy some thought was on his way out. And that's not even mentioning the postseason. He hit a pivotal grand slam in game two of the ALCS and then went on to be named the World Series MVP winning his third ring with the Red Sox.

It makes sense that he would want to try and get a deal done for 2015 now. Both he and the ball club are still riding the World Series high and visions of Big Papi bashing home runs are still fresh. Get that contract extension inked before there's any chance of an April slump in 2014. Not that I think that's going to happen... but you never know. Ben Cherington wouldn't talk about it much saying he didn't want to take the spotlight away from Mike Napoli and his shiny new contract.

I'm all for it. Nothing would make me happier than keeping the heart of the Red Sox clubhouse secured in Boston hopefully until he's ready to call it a day. His smile makes me smile.

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