Two Red Sox Legends Named Among MLB's All-Time Best Signings
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The Boston Red Sox hit the jackpot twice early in the 21st century.
ESPN's Bradford Doolittle ranked the top free-agent signings in MLB history since its introduction 50 years ago. The Red Sox secured two of the best pickups two years apart.
In 2003, the Red Sox signed David Ortiz to a one-year, $1.3 million contract. The Minnesota Twins castoff hit .288/.369/.592 with 31 home runs in his first of 14 seasons in Boston.
Big Papi launched the second-most homers (483) in franchise history behind Ted Williams and steered the Red Sox to three World Series titles with a .947 career postseason OPS.
"Ortiz wasn't a free agent because he reached any service time requirement, but because the Twins released him, at age 26, even though he was coming off his best season (20 homers, 120 OPS+)," Doolittle noted. "Papi finished fifth in AL MVP voting in his first Boston season and kept re-signing and extending until he finally reentered free agency after the 2011 season. By then, he was a legend. And, of course, he never left the Red Sox."
Ortiz formed a fierce duo alongside Manny Ramirez, whom Boston landed on an eight-year, $160 million deal before the 2001 season. The enigmatic outfielder batted .312/.411/.588 during his Red Sox tenure, making eight straight All-Star appearances with six Silver Slugger awards and two World Series triumphs.
"Ramirez made it 7½ years through this deal before being traded to the Dodgers in 2008," Doolittle wrote. "It was always an adventure -- 'Manny being Manny' -- but in the history of a franchise that's featured many of baseball's all-time best hitters, Ramirez ranks right with them. In terms of OPS+, the order goes: Ted Williams, Tris Speaker, Jimmie Foxx, Manny, Ortiz and Wade Boggs. Ramirez was often not very serious, but the man could seriously hit."
The Red Sox can only hope to keep striking the same success on the open market. Aroldis Chapman paid huge dividends for them last year, but Ranger Suarez has allowed four runs in each of his first two starts to commence a $130 million contract.
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