We all know how much Ortiz struggled in the first half of last year. He was able to turn it around in the 2nd half hitting 27 home runs and posting a .356 on-base percentage, but still the writing is on the wall that Ortiz's days are numbered. After this season the Sox are going to have to decide whether or not they are going to pick up his $12.5 million option for 2011. Right now, you would say that it isn't likely, but if he comes out and has a great year then they easily could, since it is just for 1 more year.
Still, Ortiz is 34 years old and his body is wearing down. There is no argument about that. So, the Sox are looking to the future, and that future could be Cuban free agent Jose Julio Ruiz. Ruiz looks a lot like Ortiz. He is a big guy (around 6-3 240 pounds), who can hit for average (hit .305 last year in Cuba) and can hit for power, though he hasn't showed a lot of it yet. He has said that he is interested in the Red Sox, so that he can be the next Big Papi.
I don't know if anything will come of this, but it is something all Sox fans should keep an eye on.
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