Will free-agent-to-be David Ortiz really consider joining Boston’s AL East rival’s when he hits the market this offseason?
The possibility of Ortiz joining the Yankees is out there after the Red Sox imploded in September; and after reports of clubhouse drama–highlighted by a Boston Globe report that said three pitchers drank beer, ate fried chicken and played video games in the clubhouse during games, while the team was fighting for its playoff life.
Ortiz addressed his pending free agency and the Red Sox collapse during an interview with ESPN that aired Wednesday night.
“I’ve been thinking about a lot of things,” said Ortiz, “and I don’t even know if I want to be part of this drama for next year.”
Boston’s longtime slugger—who developed the nickname Big Papi at the beginning of his nine years in Boston—was asked if he would consider joining the hated Yankees in 2012.
“That’s something that I have to think about,” he told Colleen Dominguez of ESPN. “And who doesn’t want to be involved in a good organization that everything goes down the right way.”
Ortiz didn’t come out and say he wanted to be a Yankee, but during the interview he did seem frustrated with the Red Sox, saying the drama surrounding the club is meant for a “soap opera.” He said the drama, and the other issues engulfing the team, needs to be addressed by the people at the top.
“The owners need to take care of it right now,” he said, “so everybody can come in with a fresh mind next year and do what they’re supposed to do.”
Nobody knows if Ortiz will return next season, and adding to the uncertainty is the loss of manager Terry Francona and general manager Theo Epstein who bolted to be the new GM of the Chicago Cubs.
Ortiz said of the future: “We’ll see how things go down.”