Truth & Rumors > MLB
Ortiz says he could play first in the NL
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08:17 AM ET 07.06 | David Ortiz hasn't played more than 10 games at first base in nearly 10 years, and yet he may be up to the challenge. "Man, the way I feel this year," the Red Sox slugger said, "I feel like I can go play first base in the National League." Ortiz is eligible again for free agency at season's end, and last winter, the market for a full-time designated hitter was so depressed he was unable to land the multiyear contract he so badly desires despite batting .309 with 29 homers, 96 RBI and a .953 on-base plus slugging percentage last season. Part of Ortiz' problem was that, as a DH, he was dealing only with American League teams. Had he been able to draw interest from National League clubs, too, he may have had more options.
David Ortiz, Getty Images
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Comments (36) Add A Comment
There's no way a National League team could give him a multi-year deal to play first. He's an AL-only option.
williewilliejuan
Total Comments (34993)
I don't know where he gets the idea that he can he garner a long term contract elsewhere when he had the opportunity to do so this past offseason and failed.
THE BISHOP!
Total Comments (13361)
Agreed. He's awful on defense, and he'd break down playing the field every day.
The Moose
Total Comments (24137)
Sure he can play first in the NL. He wouldn't play it well.
.ChiSoxFan.
Total Comments (13342)
Wish I could be disrespected for 14 million to "just" DH. And for playing a game.... jeesh.... let it go man.....
Lex-LOU-thor
Total Comments (40020)
Yes but for how many games? Three or Four. He is a great hitter. Getting a little long in the tooth to be playing the field. Not as flexible as he once was.
Doesn't need to be flexible to gound the bases.
Bronx_Pride
Total Comments (2129)
Miguel Cabrera, who is pretty universally known as a defensive liability, has 0.992 fielding percentage at 1B.
williewilliejuan
Total Comments (34993)
Does sound ridiculous. I don't think he understands exactly what his true value is because he's confident in himself. Getting out there and playing first base for 155 games or so is probably a lot more wearing on a guy than he remembers.
Yogi-Zen
Total Comments (4574)
Was Cabrera a decent third baseman before he put on all the weight? I never really paid that much attention to him when he was in Florida.
Yogi-Zen
Total Comments (4574)
He was ok, not great. So Big Papi "feels great" huh? They testing for HGH yet? JK...maybe not...
27RINGS!
Total Comments (1045)
The biggest thing Otiz had done - he lost weight - a lot of it. So he is now; maybe, in the best shape to do SOME work at 1st base. But an every day guy - not so sure that is in the offing....
Lex-LOU-thor
Total Comments (40020)
ask the Dodgers if they are willing to take on David Ortiz's Bat with the assumption his fielding stinks... James Loney is the complete opposite- awful hitter , good glove.
rich954
Hollywood, FL
Total Comments (267)
Losing extra pounds at his age makes all the difference in the world. I actually like Big Papi so good for him.
27RINGS!
Total Comments (1045)
Billingsly and Loney for Papi? Red Sox throw in a marginal prospect, done deal...
27RINGS!
Total Comments (1045)
I think what really hurt Ortiz were those back to back slow starts that he eventually pulled out of. You combine that performance with his age and teams don't want to take the risk and probably shouldn't. It's the reality of things for him, even if he does feel good.
Yogi-Zen
Total Comments (4574)
As a lifelong BoSox fan I'm getting a bit tired of Papi's increasingly frequent rants about "lack of respect". Maybe it is time to let him go after this season if he's going to whine to the media so much.
Almost $14 million for DH for one year is a career income for many ballplayers and he's crying?
Enough, Papi, just play ball and shut up and do what you are paid very well to do.
SportsFun
Total Comments (2584)
I liked him a lot though during the years - just a likable guy. Until this year when he feels "disrespected". Slow starts are a deathnell for DH's and he has had a couple. He can blame that on himself. And quit complaining about it.
By the way - why is it that players don't play with the same intensity they do in the contract-end year.... that just ticks me off.
Lex-LOU-thor
Total Comments (40020)
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