2009 Red Sox Preview: Designated Hitter

Most Valuable Papi

The one position that has remained both untouched AND stable through the years, contrary to popular belief, is NOT getting old. David Oritz has been with the Sox since 2003, and he has put up spectacular numbers every year. And unlike the only other 2004 winners still on the team—Varitek and Wakefield—he shows no signs of slowing down.

People use the same argument all the time: “he’s getting old.” Last time I checked, 34 is not old. I don’t see anybody calling 33-year-old Derek Jeter being called old, and he is in worse physical shape than Papi (in an injury and durability sense, not a matter of individual health), since he plays the field and hits while Ortiz only does the latter.

Ortiz is one of the best hitters in the game, and he has one thing on A-Rod, Bonds, Giambi, and countless others: he plays clean.

Papi’s numbers will go up to his 35+ home runs numbers from two years ago. Last year Ortiz had some injury problems and managed only a .264 average with 23 homers. A clear step down from his .332, 35 home run season of 2007. While those numbers were seen as low, who wouldn’t want their player hitting well over .300? And even with bad numbers, always remember David Ortiz+Bottom of the 9th+close game=Red Sox win.

Ortiz doesn’t need a backup in his role, but if he ever needs a break Francona can just pencil in anybody he feels like.

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