Red Sox Rumors: Payroll and David Ortiz
By Editorial Staff
Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino shared his thoughts on several topics regarding his club yesterday with SiriusXM Sports. Among the topics discussed; the Red Sox payroll, the futures of Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield and David Ortiz’s pending arbitration hearing.
Some Red Sox fans and followers of baseball in general have ragged on Boston this offseason for their spendthrift attitude. Those that are used to having Boston spend whatever it takes to make a big splash or fill their holes have been disappointed this winter.
However, Lucchino said this criticism is unfair as the Red Sox are prepared to enter the 2012 season with the highest payroll in the club’s history. Lucchino added that “the talk of us not spending needs to be viewed in the context of real facts and in comparison to real dollars”.
It seems to be a given that the Red Sox and slugger David Ortiz are headed for an arbitration hearing. Lucchino said that there will be no hard feelings against the designated hitter, noting that the club will simply move on once Ortiz’s 2012 salary situation is resolved.
The Red Sox have extended minor league contract offers to veteran players Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield. Both are holding out for a more guaranteed role, but each has also made it clear that they’d like to return to Boston for another season. In addressing the situation, Lucchino said the decision is now in the hands of the veterans, indicating that the Red Sox are unlikely to change their offer before the spring.
For more on the Red Sox, be sure to check out BoSox Injection.
You can follow Call to the Pen on Twitter at @FSCalltothePen or like us here on Facebook.
You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.