BOSTON (CBS) - It did not surprise me, or bother me, in the least when David Ortiz brought up his contract when talking with colleague Steve Burton on Sunday's Sports Final on WBZ-TV.
In fact, I've already forgotten about it.
It's pretty simple when it comes to David: He will talk about his contract for as long as he plays. It's just the way it is. It drives him.
WATCH: Ortiz Talks About Possibly Leaving Boston On Sports Final
At the age of 37, he hit a mere .309 with 30 home runs and 103 RBI with an OPS of .959. He followed that up by hitting a ridiculous .688 with an OPS of 1.948 in the six game World Series win over the St Louis Cardinals. Those are just incredible numbers to begin with, and even more incredible considering David's age.
Ortiz has one-year and $15-million coming to him for this upcoming season. Does he deserve another year at $15-million or more? Absolutely. I would even make it $20-million. It's a no-brainer.
But after that, as I've maintained all along, I would take it year-by-year. If he continues to produce the way he has since arriving in Boston in 2003 ,there's no reason to stop giving him that kind of money. It makes even more sense when you look at most of the superstars in the game that have ridiculous 6-8 year deals, but don't produce as efficiently year after year as Ortiz has in Boston.
If I were in charge of the Red Sox, I would make it simpler: David gets a one-year, $25-million deal as long as he continues to produce. And, if David falls off the table, I'd either offer him a low base, high incentive deal the next year if he wants to try to come back. Why? Because, it's hard to find that kind if production, and it's short-term. If he falls off that cliff, he doesn't handcuff you financially long-term. You simply say thanks for all you've done is a Red Sox uniform (and that's as much as any player to come through here) and move on.
Roche: Remy Deserves Chance To Return To NESN Booth
So, when David complains or asks for a new deal or more money, I advise you to simply ignore it. His teammates do because David cares about winning. He has shown that time and time again.
It's no big deal, and if it's no big deal to them then it should be no big deal to you. Trust me, you'll feel a lot better and enjoy the game just as much.
Follow WBZ-TV's Dan Roche on Twitter @RochieWBZ.
MORE SPORTS COVERAGE FROM CBS BOSTON
Roche: Ortiz's Comments Nothing New, And No Big Deal
/ CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) - It did not surprise me, or bother me, in the least when David Ortiz brought up his contract when talking with colleague Steve Burton on Sunday's Sports Final on WBZ-TV.
In fact, I've already forgotten about it.
It's pretty simple when it comes to David: He will talk about his contract for as long as he plays. It's just the way it is. It drives him.
WATCH: Ortiz Talks About Possibly Leaving Boston On Sports Final
At the age of 37, he hit a mere .309 with 30 home runs and 103 RBI with an OPS of .959. He followed that up by hitting a ridiculous .688 with an OPS of 1.948 in the six game World Series win over the St Louis Cardinals. Those are just incredible numbers to begin with, and even more incredible considering David's age.
Ortiz has one-year and $15-million coming to him for this upcoming season. Does he deserve another year at $15-million or more? Absolutely. I would even make it $20-million. It's a no-brainer.
But after that, as I've maintained all along, I would take it year-by-year. If he continues to produce the way he has since arriving in Boston in 2003 ,there's no reason to stop giving him that kind of money. It makes even more sense when you look at most of the superstars in the game that have ridiculous 6-8 year deals, but don't produce as efficiently year after year as Ortiz has in Boston.
If I were in charge of the Red Sox, I would make it simpler: David gets a one-year, $25-million deal as long as he continues to produce. And, if David falls off the table, I'd either offer him a low base, high incentive deal the next year if he wants to try to come back. Why? Because, it's hard to find that kind if production, and it's short-term. If he falls off that cliff, he doesn't handcuff you financially long-term. You simply say thanks for all you've done is a Red Sox uniform (and that's as much as any player to come through here) and move on.
Roche: Remy Deserves Chance To Return To NESN Booth
So, when David complains or asks for a new deal or more money, I advise you to simply ignore it. His teammates do because David cares about winning. He has shown that time and time again.
It's no big deal, and if it's no big deal to them then it should be no big deal to you. Trust me, you'll feel a lot better and enjoy the game just as much.
Follow WBZ-TV's Dan Roche on Twitter @RochieWBZ.
MORE SPORTS COVERAGE FROM CBS BOSTON
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