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If you’re not a fan of bat-flipping, don’t tell that to David Ortiz.

The Boston Red Sox slugger has been known to flip his bat after hitting a home run throughout his 20-year career, and he is not a fan of the chatter that occurs when talking about showmanship at the plate.

“People want to talk about old school. I am old school,” Ortiz said, per Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. “How many [expletives] are in the game right now who played in 1997 in the big leagues?”

It’s not just Ortiz who has expressed himself by flipping a bat after launching a baseball over the wall. Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays had an infamous bat flip in Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers. It was a blast that gave Toronto the win in the series, as seen below:

Ortiz, who has hit 503 homers in his career, thinks the bulk of that chatter has come from pundits who have never played baseball, per Speier:

Whenever somebody criticizes a power hitter for what we do after we hit a home run, I consider that person someone who is not able to hit a homer ever in his life. Look at who criticizes the power hitters in the game and what we do. It’s either a pitcher or somebody that never played the game. Think about it. You don’t know that feeling. You don’t know what it takes to hit a homer off a guy who throws 95 mph. You don’t know anything about it. And if you don’t know anything about it, [shut up]. [Shut up]. Seriously. If you don’t know anything about it, [shut up], because that is another level.

Of course as a pitcher you’re not going to like it if I take you deep, but after I do it, suck it up, man. Take it like a man. I don’t mind anybody doing anything when you strike me out or get myself out. You’re never going to see me criticizing anybody, because you know what? Whatever you do out there, you just motivate me. You just motivate me. If I take you deep and I pimp the [expletive] out of it, that should be motivation for you to try to get me out in my next at-bat, instead of just talking [expletive]. That’s the way I see it.

The game of baseball is constantly changing, and not just in the rulebook. The old-school narrative Ortiz refers to is something Major League Baseball is trying to change. But younger and more athletic players are ushering in a new era of baseball, and once Ortiz retires, it’s hard to imagine baseball toning down the showmanship and not allowing players to express themselves.

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The 2016 season will be the last in the legendary career of Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz.

Fans will remember him for bringing three World Series championships to Boston, but some forget that Big Papi started his career with the Minnesota Twins. And in some ways, Ortiz doesn’t want to remember his time in Minnesota, either.

“[Former Twins general manager] Terry Ryan doesn’t feel bad just because he let me go,” Ortiz said, per Patrick Reusse of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “He feels bad because he also knows the Twins treated me bad.”

Ortiz made his major league debut with the Twins in 1997. He played six big league seasons with the club and was on the 2002 Minnesota team that won in the American League Division Series. Since then, the Twins haven’t reached the American League Championship Series.

Big Papi was the No. 9 hitter in a lineup that featured star outfielder Torii Hunter. Jacque Jones hit 27 home runs that year for Minnesota, which also had a star pitcher on the rise in Johan Santana.

Had Ortiz stayed in Minnesota, he thinks the results would’ve been better.

“The Twins would’ve won another World Series,” he said, per Reusse.

However, the team released him in December 2002. He then signed with the Red Sox and went on to become a nine-time All-Star. Two years later, he was a member of the 2004 World Series championship team that broke the 86-year championship-less curse in Boston.

“Anyone who says [releasing Ortiz] was a financial decision is dead wrong,” Ryan said, per Reusse. “It was a very bad baseball decision. We thought we had better options. We were wrong in a big way. It’s on me, nobody else. I’m the general manager. We don’t release big league players without the general manager’s approval.”

After Ortiz left, the Twins added future All-Stars Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. While the Twins won five more American League Central titles, they never got out of the ALDS again. 

Had Ortiz stayed, they could’ve had the best offense in baseball for a number of years and may have even won a World Series or two.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.

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Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jered Weaver is recovering from a spine injury but expects to be ready for the regular season.

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Weaver Declares Himself Ready to Pitch

Tuesday, March 15

“I’ll be ready to take the ball in the (expletive) opening series,” Weaver said, per Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. Fletcher provided more from Weaver:

It’s just a mild case. We thought maybe it had something to do with what’s going on, but [Dr. Robert Watkins] didn’t think it translated (to pitching) or anything like that. Obviously, he’s an expert on the situation. Just keep grinding.

I wish they would tell me I need surgery or something. As bad as that sounds, an answer would be great. But it’s not the way it’s happening. I have to keep grinding with what I’m doing.

Angels general manager Billy Eppler noted on March 12 that surgery was not an option, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.

Weaver also stated he will pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday, per Fletcher.

Weaver Struggling to Shake Injury Bug

Weaver had a lackluster 2015 campaign that was mired by back issues, and the team placed him on the 15-day disabled list May 30 because of those back problems.

Prior to going 7-12 with a 4.64 ERA last year, Weaver had been one of the best pitchers in baseball. In 2012, he went 20-5 while posting a 2.81 ERA.

If Weaver misses time again this season, it would be a major blow to an Angels team that needs better production on the mound. Garrett Richards was L.A.’s winningest pitcher last year at 15-12, followed by Hector Santiago at 9-9.

Although last year was one of the worst seasons of his career, a healthy Weaver would give the Angels a better chance to compete in the American League West next season.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.

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The Colorado Rockies continue to wait for official word on shortstop Jose Reyes‘ potential suspension.

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Rockies Fearing the Worst for Reyes Suspension

Monday, March 7

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported Colorado is preparing for what could be a “lengthy suspension” for the four-time All-Star.

Reyes was arrested Oct. 31 for an alleged domestic-violence incident in Maui, Hawaii, per ESPN.com. ESPN.com noted Reyes allegedly shoved his wife into a glass door in the hotel they stayed at and was later released after posting a $1,000 bail.

On March 1, Major League Baseball suspended newly acquired New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman for 30 games after a police report revealed Chapman was accused of firing a gun eight times and choking his girlfriend, per Jeff Passan and Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports.

Nick Groke of the Denver Post reported Reyes is scheduled to go on trial April 4, and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred told Groke he plans to act quickly once the trial concludes.

“My expectation is, once that process plays out, we’ll be in position to act quickly,” Manfred said. “We’ll have access to all the facts.”

Reyes has three years remaining on a six-year, $106 million deal he signed with the Miami Marlins in December 2011. The Rockies are the third team Reyes has played for since signing that deal. Miami sent him to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2012 in a trade that centered around pitchers Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson. Toronto then sent him to Colorado last season for All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.

Reyes, the highest-paid player on the Rockies, is set to earn $22 million this year, per Spotrac. He batted .259 in 47 games for Colorado in 2015.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.

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Outfielder Josh Reddick wants to remain with the Oakland Athletics, but not much discussion has been had for a new contract.

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A’s Want Reddick Beyond This Year

Thursday, March 3

Athletics executive vice president Billy Beane said Thursday on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio he wants to lock up Reddick to a long-term deal, per ESPN’s Jim Bowden.   

In his fourth season in Oakland, Reddick hit a team-leading 20 home runs and drove in 77 runs for the 68-win A’s in 2015.

The Athletics acquired Reddick in December 2011 in a trade centered around All-Star closer Andrew Bailey. He’s played over 100 games each year since arriving in Oakland and hit a career-high 32 homers in 2012.

Reddick became Oakland’s top batter once the A’s traded All-Star and eventual American League MVP Josh Donaldson to the Toronto Blue Jays in November 2014. The 29-year-old Reddick, from Middle Georgia College, led the Athletics with a .449 slugging percentage and was second on the team, batting .272 in 2015.

Reddick will make $6.575 million this year before becoming a free agent next offseason. John Hickey from Bay Area News Group said on Jan. 24 that Reddick was looking forward to talking about a multiyear deal. 

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported on Feb. 23 no talks between Reddick and the A’s had taken place during that span.

Last season was the first time since 1997 the A’s finished below 70 wins. Dayn Perry of CBS Sports predicted they’d be a 78-win team this season, though still far away from the top of the American League West. It’s unclear how long the A’s will be near the bottom of the division, but retaining Reddick for the next few years solidifies the three-hole or even the cleanup spot for a rebuilding Oakland team.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. Follow Danny Webster on Twitter.

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The Colorado Rockies have gone without a winning season for five straight years, and not much is expected in 2016 for the team that has finished last in the National League West in three of the last four years.

General manager Jeff Bridich is entering his second season with the Rockies, and after a 68-win campaign last year, Bridich said there’s no point in discussing when Colorado will turn it around Monday, per Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post:

What’s the point? Why limit ourselves? So if I were to come out and say something that’s pleasing to the ear of you, or a fan here or a fan there, and I say, ‘We’re not going to win for X.’ So what? What’s the point of doing that?

It’s about people. It’s about process. And it’s about how well can we do that together. If a lot of that or most of that comes together for us this year, wonderful. Why say something where it’s got to happen X number of months and years in the future, where really a lot of good things can happen this year. I just don’t see the point.

The Rockies have made the postseason once since their World Series run in 2007. Not a single player is left from that team after Colorado traded star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to the Toronto Blue Jays last year.

While Colorado may be in rebuild mode, the Rockies have much to look forward to with All-Stars Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez as the team’s centerpieces. Arenado hit a career-high 42 home runs and had 130 RBI while making his first All-Star Game in 2015. The 30-year-old Gonzalez hit a career-high 40 homers for Colorado last year as well.

Despite finishing below .500 last year, the Rockies were fifth in the majors and No. 1 in the National League in runs scored with 737. However, Colorado gave up 844 runs a year ago, the most in the majors, per ESPN.com.

Pitching has been the issue for the Rockies since they traded ace Ubaldo Jimenez in July 2011. Colorado’s best pitcher since 2012 has been Jorge De La Rosa, who has a 39-26 record over the last four seasons but has finished with an ERA over 4.00 in each of the last two years.

The Rockies offense has shown it’s capable of putting up a lot of runs. Colorado can have a solid 2016 season and back up its general manager’s words if the starting rotation can consistently perform at a high level.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. Follow Danny Webster on Twitter.

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Oakland Athletics pitcher Henderson Alvarez is inching closer to a return to the mound after undergoing shoulder surgery.

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Latest on Alvarez’s Return

Sunday, Feb. 28

The former All-Star pitcher—who signed a one-year deal with the A’s in December worth $4.25 million, per Spotrac—could be days away from throwing off a mound for the first time since last July, per Jane Lee of MLB.com.

Alvarez underwent arthroscopic right-shoulder surgery last year in his third season with the Miami Marlins, finishing the 2015 season at 0-4 with a 6.45 ERA. 

The 25-year-old Venezuelan right-handed pitcher was named to his first career All-Star Game in 2014 with a 12-7 record and a 2.65 ERA. He was one of the 12 players included in the Marlins’ trade with the Toronto Blue Jays centered around shortstop Jose Reyes, per ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick.

This is a good sign for both Alvarez and the A’s, who are looking to rebound after finishing last in the American League West a year ago at 68-94. Oakland allowed 729 runs last year, good for 10th-worst in MLB, per ESPN.com. If Alvarez is on schedule for a healthy return, he and Sonny Gray could make a solid tandem in Oakland.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.

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In light of Yovani Gallardo’s new contract with the Baltimore Orioles, MLB Players Association chief Tony Clark believes medical information should be more confidential.

When meeting with reporters Saturday at Ed Smith Stadium—the spring training home of the Orioles—Clark was critical of medical records leaking to the public, per Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun:

Medical information shouldn’t be public. There’s a reason why individuals’ medical information is protected. The idea that those who shouldn’t have access to it have access to it and feel compelled to offer it is a concern. … From my vantage point, it is irresponsible and something that we think affects the entire industry and not just the player involved. That’s why I think it mutually makes sense to sit down and figure out perhaps there’s a better way to do it.

After spending last year with the Texas Rangers, Gallardo agreed to a three-year, $35 million deal with the Orioles on Feb. 21, per Eddie Matz of ESPN.com. However, Baltimore put the deal on hold two days later after concerns came up in Gallardo’s physical, per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports. Passan noted the Orioles have a notorious past when it comes to player physicals.

The following day, the two sides came to an agreement on a two-year deal worth $22 million with a $13 million team option in Year 3, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Clark said the union could discuss the protocol for releasing medical information and that it’s important to ensure privacy between the team and player:

We were connected to Gallardo and his representation throughout. Appreciating what happened, what may have happened and whether there are considerations beyond that to take into account, but that happens with every player, in particular every free-agent player who is going to be subject to a physical and who is going to have his medical information available to clubs who are interested in signing him.

While Clark brought up an important point about privacy, the availability of medical records is important for other teams as well. Knowing the status of a free agent through another team’s report could increase the chances of a team staying away or making a better offer.

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The contract for Kansas City Royals catcher and 2015 World Series MVP Salvador Perez doesn’t expire until after the 2019 season, but he’s already thinking about a new deal.

Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star is reporting there are signs that the 25-year-old Perez and the Royals will come to an agreement on a new contract before Opening Day.

“I want to be George Brett,” Perez said, per Mellinger. “I want to be like Frank White, like Alex Gordon. One of those guys. Because this team gave me the opportunity to play in the big leagues.”

A three-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, Perez hit a career-high 21 home runs last year during the Royals’ run to their first world championship in 30 years.

During the Royals’ five-game win over the New York Mets in the World Series last year, Perez batted .364 with two doubles.

Rafa Nieves, Perez’s agent, told Mellinger the two sides have made progress and that there’s a 50 percent chance they’ll get a deal done before the Royals begin their championship defense April 3 against the Mets at home.

Mellinger noted when he becomes a free agent, Perez will be 29 years old—the same age at which Brian McCann signed an $85 million deal over five years. If Perez continues producing at the same rate, he could be in line for a figure greater than $100 million.

Perez has already become a cornerstone for the Royals. When the time comes, whether it be before Opening Day or when his deal expires in 2019, Perez has shown he’s worthy of a new contract.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. Contract info courtesy of Spotrac. Follow Danny Webster on Twitter. 

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The Toronto Blue Jays signed 2013 All-Star outfielder Domonic Brown on Thursday to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training, per Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com.

Brown spent the first six years of his big league career as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, who drafted him in the 20th round of the 2006 MLB draft.

He was named to his first All-Star team three seasons ago after having career highs of 27 home runs, 83 RBI and a .272 batting average.

“Bring him into camp and see what he can do, see what he’s got left,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said, per Chisholm. “More depth, that’s one thing we’ve been concentrated on, adding depth at different positions this year in the organization, and we’ll see how it all works out.”

Chisholm noted Brown could be in play for backup left fielder behind current starter Michael Saunders. Brown has a career fielding percentage of .982 and committed 13 errors as a member of the Philadelphia outfield.

Brown is an athletic outfielder with great speed, and he could revive his career in Toronto. The reigning American League East champions led the majors in runs scored with 891, almost 130 more than the next team, the New York Yankees. 

Toronto fields a team with the reigning AL MVP, Josh Donaldson, and power hitters Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista. Adding a guy with speed like Brown can be a difference-maker for the Blue Jays.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com. Follow Danny Webster on Twitter.  

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