David Ortiz has primarily been a DH since signing with the Red Sox in 2003, but he recently said he thinks he could be a full-time first baseman.
“Man, the way I feel this year, I feel like I can go play first base in the National League,” Ortiz told the Boston Herald.
“When I play first base, I like to joke around so I can get the pressure away from me. But it’s fun to me,” Ortiz told the Herald. “I’m not as bad as people think I am. People see you DHing the whole time and they think you’re just going to go out there and screw things up. I’ll tell you straight-up: I’m not going to be all-fantasy, but you hit that ball where I can reach it, I’m going to catch it.”
Ortiz said he was approached by some NL teams last offseason but his priority was to remain with the Red Sox, so he agreed to a one-year deal with them in arbitration. His latest comments make it seem like he won’t be as kind to Boston this offseason.
Ortiz has been having trouble with the Boston media over the past few weeks, and he’s indicated he’s sick of things in the city. He also recently stated that he was humiliated with Boston’s one-year offer to him last offseason. If you put everything together, it all adds up to Ortiz wanting out of Boston, or driving up the price on them at the least. Given the way he’s been hitting this season, several NL teams are sure to be interested.
