Ortiz Seeking "Long-Term Security"

Ortiz is seeking long-term security, pointing to the deals that Adam Dunn received from the White Sox (four years, $56 million) and Victor Martinez from the Tigers (four years, $50 million) last season.

“Those guys are DHs. Let’s be honest,” Ortiz said. “To be honest with you, look at what I did. I don’t think I can put myself out of that group.”

Victor Martinez is 32; Adam Dunn is also 32. David Ortiz is 36. Neither Martinez nor Dunn are larger-than-life sluggers like Ortiz, but four years is a long time, for players and for contracts.

Ortiz, 2004 to 2007: 177 HRs, 541 RBIs.

Ortiz, 2008 to 2011: 112 HRs, 386 RBIs.

Granted, the 2004-2007 numbers include two outlandish seasons of 47 and 54 home runs, but the difference is pretty dramatic. One has to wonder about the next four years.

I'm a huge believer in loyalty, and I do think that players tend to reward such loyalty in their later years. Something about being accountable to the same set of fans means something, and offsets whatever "something to prove" burst they get from a new club. But wasn't the last deal Ortiz's reward contract? There was no talk of offering him eight years back in 2007.

We certainly can't blame the guy for asking, and who knows, maybe the Red Sox will pay up. But I think he's making it a little easier for them to say no.