Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz may be headed for retirement after the 2016 season, but his thoughts about the future of the team's roster could land him in hot water with MLB.
On Friday, ESPN.com's Scott Lauber reported MLB is "looking into" whether Ortiz violated the league's tampering policy when he made comments regarding Miami Marlins ace Jose Fernandez and Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion during the All-Star break.
"The Red Sox know, also, that they need to bring force into the middle of the lineup," Ortiz said, per Thomas Kane of Boston.com. "And, sorry Blue Jays, but who better to do that than Encarnacion?"
Ortiz had this to say about Fernandez, according to the Boston Herald's Evan Drellich: "He has incredible stuff. I thought he was going to end up playing with me this year. I mean, you never know. I want him in my starting rotation. I mean, we need a little bit of help and hopefully that happens at some point, who knows?"
"There aren't any indications that MLB will take disciplinary action in the form of a fine or suspension, but it's possible Ortiz could receive a warning letter from the league office," Lauber reported.
Ortiz brushed off the suggestion Friday.
"Tampering? I don't write no paycheck," he said, per Lauber. "I can say whatever I want. I'm not a GM or a team owner or whatever. I mean, if I say tomorrow that I want to play with LeBron James, is that tampering, too?"
Boston may not be able to nab Fernandez before the Aug. 1 trade deadline, but the team has been active on the trade market over the last week.
After acquiring closer Brad Ziegler on Saturday in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Red Sox flipped prized pitching prospect Anderson Espinoza to the San Diego Padres in exchange for All-Star southpaw Drew Pomeranz on Thursday, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune's Dennis Lin.
When it comes to finding Ortiz's replacement, it is worth noting Encarnacion will become an unrestricted free agent when his contract expires following the 2016 season.
Contract information courtesy of Spotrac.
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