Itas looking much more likely that Boston Red Sox designated hitter and cleaning man David Ortiz wonat get ready for the start of the summer season, and could even be out for a long time frame. If the slugger comes with a long absence, the group must seriously contemplate signing veteran free agent Jim Thome. Ortiz has yet to perform an inning this spring due to an inability to jump from a partly torn Achilles that has caused him to miss all but one game since last July 16. Lately, it was reported the team shut down the 37-year-old left-handed hitter for per week if it'd help address distress heas been experiencing in both pumps to see. MLB.comas Ian Browne noted that the MRIs revealed irritation in both feet, but suggested no further structural damage. Regardless, the suffering Ortiz is experiencing is keeping him off the subject and putting his supply further and further away. In a separate report, Browne claimed that Boston director John Farrell appears resigned that Ortiz can open the summer season on the disabled list, and doesn't have particular player to displace him in mind: These talks are beginning and it's only discussing the mix of folks who could be in a counter slot to more regular at-bats DH-wise. We're by no means at a point of saying, 'This is who our DH is going to be or this is who else is going to be on the roster,' but those interactions are occurring more in earnest. We visualize it to be a little a rotation, therefore not to imply one individual would be purely a DH. That's a preliminary strategy. To state that it would be considered a radical shift to a player's schedule or keeping loose among at-bats from what they could not otherwise be accustomed to, we've not determined one person. We do not have another David Ortiz. Itas going on ten weeks since Ortiz has had the oppertunity to perform in a game title. At this point, there ought to be increasing pessimism which will change quickly. The Red Sox canat rely on a revolving DH, especially when their standard player at that place is indeed integral with their offense, if he's out for more than a few weeks. They have to find a large bat that may play in the middle of these collection. That person could possibly be Jim Thome. If a long-term substitute was required, some may want the group to trade for people like Alfonso Soriano and the $36 million remaining on his commitment. But, a new player such as the left-handed Thome is really a cheaper alternative and could be the nearest thing to an Ortiz facsimile. In his a decade in Boston, Ortiz has placed a OBP and.962 OPS. His ability to reach for power and get on base is what makes him an anchor in the Boston lineup. Similar qualities would be ideally offered by any possible replacement. Thome is very literally one of the greatest sluggers in the annals of baseball. In while his 1,699 RBI are great for 24th, a major league career, his 612 home runs rank seventh all-time. He also features a cumulative batting average/OBP/OPS split of.276/.402/.956. As a full-time beginner his last period came in 2008 with the Chicago White Sox, when he struck.245 with 34 home runs and 90 RBI in 149 games. In the past four seasons, he has applied more sparingly, but has still made, with OPS marks of.847, 1.039,.838 and.786. Last time, he appeared in a mixed 58 games with the Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles, reaching.252 with eight home runs and 25 RBI. He also informed Fox Sportsa Ken Rosenthal that heas still willing and able to perform in 2013: For me, what Iave done in the overall game, I felt really strongly about that. The game is still loved by me. I wish to keep playing. But I felt after 20-something years, that if I played and returned, I desired to get an opportunity to make a club at the major-league level. In my experience, that has been critical. Personally I think Iam still a major-league player. Iam in good form. Thome may turn 43 in late August, and is purely a and pinch hitter during this period of his career. Despite his age, it shouldnat be from the realm of possibility he might be successful with 20-25 at-bats weekly. He'd also be considered a cheap substitute, having made just $1.25 million last period with the Philadelphia Phillies. Taking him in wouldnat break the financial institution for a staff with a paycheck currently north of $160 million. Ideally, Ortiz will undoubtedly be healthy enough to play most of the 2013 year. But, if his injury continues to stay and a long-term replacement is needed by the Red Sox, Thome must be the first player they call. Data viaABaseball-Reference
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