OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - WIN AT ALL COSTS! The 2004 Boston Red Sox

AZTarHeel · 07-17-2004, 06:30 PM

Ortiz looks to test market after '04
Boston believes veterans hold key to future

MLB.com • Aug. 2, 2004

No one has envied Boston's Theo Epstein in recent weeks.

While he may be the GM for the team with the best record in baseball, he's also the GM with a ton of players set to become free agents -- and a limited amount of cash in which to sign them to extensions.

The Red Sox finally announced their contract extension signings earlier today, and it looks like Epstein and company are favoring experience over youth. Boston re-signed C Jason Varitek, SP Derek Lowe, 3B Bill Mueller and MR Armando Benitez. The Sox also re-signed SP Pedro Martinez and SS Nomar Garciparra to long-term deals about two months ago.

The biggest player not to be sign an offer -- 28-year-old DH and 1B David Ortiz. The 2004 All-Star is currently hitting clean-up and has one of the best averages on the team (in the .340s).

"He expressed his interest in testing the market after this season," Epstein said. "When we couldn't agree on numbers -- we weren't really even close -- we decided to spend our money elsewhere. This was a tough process, let me tell you. But who knows, we may still yet be able to work something out where Ortiz is wearing Red Sox colors next year.

Ortiz and his agent weren't so sure.

"What else do I have to do to prove myself to this team?" Ortiz said. "I can't let it bother me, but man it's hurtful they are letting me get away. This could haunt them in the future."

For now, the Sox hope Ortiz can keep his head on helping the Sox to a World Series title in '04.

Here are the recent re-signings, plus contract values:
• Jason Varitek has been signed to a contract extension, $4,690,000 per year, for 3 years.
• Derek Lowe has been signed to a contract extension, $6,600,000 per year, for 4 years.
• Bill Mueller has been signed to a contract extension, $4,500,000 per year, for 3 years.
• Armando Benitez has been signed to a contract extension, $3,100,000 per year, for 3 years.

Among the other notables not given new deals, at least thus far: 2B Pokey Reese, 3B Mark Bellhorn, OF Ellis Burks, RF Gabe Kapler, MR Alan Embree, C Doug Mirabelli and SS Tony Womack.

All-Star David Ortiz might not be wearing a Boston uniform after this season. Here, he takes cuts during the All-Star HR contest.

07-17-2004, 06:30 PM	#243
AZTarHeel All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,732	Ortiz looks to test market after '04 Boston believes veterans hold key to future MLB.com • Aug. 2, 2004 No one has envied Boston's Theo Epstein in recent weeks. While he may be the GM for the team with the best record in baseball, he's also the GM with a ton of players set to become free agents -- and a limited amount of cash in which to sign them to extensions. The Red Sox finally announced their contract extension signings earlier today, and it looks like Epstein and company are favoring experience over youth. Boston re-signed C Jason Varitek, SP Derek Lowe, 3B Bill Mueller and MR Armando Benitez. The Sox also re-signed SP Pedro Martinez and SS Nomar Garciparra to long-term deals about two months ago. The biggest player not to be sign an offer -- 28-year-old DH and 1B David Ortiz. The 2004 All-Star is currently hitting clean-up and has one of the best averages on the team (in the .340s). "He expressed his interest in testing the market after this season," Epstein said. "When we couldn't agree on numbers -- we weren't really even close -- we decided to spend our money elsewhere. This was a tough process, let me tell you. But who knows, we may still yet be able to work something out where Ortiz is wearing Red Sox colors next year. Ortiz and his agent weren't so sure. "What else do I have to do to prove myself to this team?" Ortiz said. "I can't let it bother me, but man it's hurtful they are letting me get away. This could haunt them in the future." For now, the Sox hope Ortiz can keep his head on helping the Sox to a World Series title in '04. Here are the recent re-signings, plus contract values: • Jason Varitek has been signed to a contract extension, $4,690,000 per year, for 3 years. • Derek Lowe has been signed to a contract extension, $6,600,000 per year, for 4 years. • Bill Mueller has been signed to a contract extension, $4,500,000 per year, for 3 years. • Armando Benitez has been signed to a contract extension, $3,100,000 per year, for 3 years. Among the other notables not given new deals, at least thus far: 2B Pokey Reese, 3B Mark Bellhorn, OF Ellis Burks, RF Gabe Kapler, MR Alan Embree, C Doug Mirabelli and SS Tony Womack. All-Star David Ortiz might not be wearing a Boston uniform after this season. Here, he takes cuts during the All-Star HR contest. Attached Images Last edited by AZTarHeel; 08-01-2004 at 06:18 PM.