By Eric Wilbur, Boston.com Columnist <\/p>\n
Hometown discount? <\/p>\n
Is that what were calling $16 million these days? <\/p>\n
David Ortizs annual soap opera revolving around his contract finally was resolved for 2014, as the Red Sox tacked another year onto the designated hitters deal that will pay him $16 million in 2015, and comes with a pair of club vesting options for 16 and 17, perhaps with the intent that the team wouldnt have to deal with this nonsense for at least a couple more years. <\/p>\n
Ortiz could have insisted on the $20 million annual compensation he felt he warranted, the Globes Nick Cafardo wrote, but instead settled again for a hometown discount for the peace of mind that hes where he wants to be for the remainder of his career. <\/p>\n
Thats some peace of mind. <\/p>\n
While Miguel Cabrera (due to make $22 million in 2014) was the only offensive member of the $20 million club to surpass Ortiz in production last season (.309, 30 home runs, 103 RBI, .959 OPS), at 38 hell be the highest paid DH in Major League Baseball this season, only a half-million more than the final year of Adam Dunns deal with the Chicago White Sox. And hes now one of only three designated hitters on the books for next season. The Royals Billy Butler, who will make $8 million this season, has a $12.5 million team option for 2015. Adam Lind has a $7.5 million team option in Toronto, and the Indians Carlos Santana will make around $6 million. <\/p>\n
Butler will be 29 in 2015, Lind 31, and Santana 29. Ortiz will be 39. <\/p>\n
You want any of those names as the centerpiece of the Red Sox lineup over the incumbent DH? Probably just as much as youd prefer Dunn and his .219 batting average representing your biggest threat. <\/p>\n
Nobody is arguing that a productive Ortiz isnt a boon for the Red Sox. But can we please not purport the ridiculous notion that Ortiz took a hometown discount\"? <\/p>\n
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Let's discount the notion David Ortiz took less money for 'peace of mind'<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Eric Wilbur, Boston.com Columnist Hometown discount? Is that what were calling $16 million these days? David Ortizs annual soap opera revolving around his contract finally was resolved for 2014, as the Red Sox tacked another year onto the designated hitters deal that will pay him $16 million in 2015, and comes with a pair of club vesting options for 16 and 17, perhaps with the intent that the team wouldnt have to deal with this nonsense for at least a couple more years. Continue reading