Theo Says Ortiz Is "Happy" With One Year Deal

In the weeks leading up to the Red Sox picking up Ortiz's 1 year option (for $12.5 million) Ortiz made it clear he wanted a more then a one year deal. After picking up his option Theo released this statement...

"David is a player who is very important to our ownership and to our fans," said Epstein. "And given these feelings, the fact that he’s still very productive and that there was a one-year solution built in the contract, this seemed like not only the most likely outcome but the one that balanced all the various factors in the most appropriate manner. David did express an interest in multi-year deal to us as well as publicly, and we explored that. But we couldn't find anything that made as much sense as a one-year commitment. At the end David understands this outcome, is very much OK with it and is committed to the 2011 Red Sox."

"I think in the end he realizes that we weren't the position to give him what he was looking for," said Epstein of Ortiz, who has hit 291 home runs in his eight seasons with the Red Sox. "He's happy now, we made sure of that before we reached our final decision. Both sides are moving forward and committed to the 2011 Red Sox winning as many games as we possibly can."

Do I believe Ortiz is "happy"? No, but here is what I think really happened...

Ortiz was brought in and Theo gave him two options. The Red Sox could pick up his one year deal for the vastly overpaid $12.5 million, or they would let him try free agency. We all know there is no way Ortiz would get more then a two year deal on the open market, and there is no way he would make even close to $12.5 million next year (my guess would be something like $14-16 million and that might be generous with the way DH's have been getting paid). I think Ortiz sat back looked at his options and realized this was by far the best idea for him. If be plays well again this season maybe the Sox give him a 2 year deal, but at the end of the day he is getting paid more then 5 million more then any other DH and he is under contract.

I know a lot of people think they "owe it to Ortiz", but I think the Sox are trying to learn from their mistakes with Mike Lowell, and they don't want to get in uncomfortable situation like they had to deal with this year, which is a very good possibility if the Sox gave him a 3 year deal.

Happy to have you back Papi.