Could David Ortiz pull a 'Johnny Damon' this winter? Judging from the comments the Red Sox slugger made to ESPN's Colleen Dominguez on Wednesday, joining the AL East rival New York Yankees certainly seems like a possibility.
Following a revelatory story in the Boston Globe detailing what went on behind the scenes during Boston's epic September collapse -- which included stories about three star pitchers drinking beer in the clubhouse during games and manager Terry Francona's personal problems -- Ortiz discussed the drama surrounding the Red Sox and talked about becoming a free agent.
"There's too much drama. I have been thinking about a lot of things. I don't know if I want to be part of this drama for next year," he said. When asked about possibly signing with the Yankees, he didn't directly say he wants to be there, but he did show admiration for the 27-time World Series winners.
"It's great from what I hear. It's a good situation to be involved in," Ortiz said. "Who doesn't want to be involved in a great situation where everything goes the right way?"
Well, everything didn't necessarily go the right way for the Yankees this year... or last year. The 2010 Yanks lost to the eventual American League champion Texas Rangers in the postseason. This year, they were eliminated by the Detroit Tigers in the first round of the postseason. Also, as 'Duk of Big League Stew pointed out, it's not like the Bronx is exactly a drama-free zone.
But if the 35-year-old did happen to sign with the Yankees, would it be that surprising?
Shortly after the Red Sox won their first World Series title in 86 years, beating the Yankees in the ALCS after being down 3-0, outfielder Johnny Damon left Fenway Park to join the Bronx Bombers. Just last year, the Red Sox were said to have offered legendary Yankees closer Mariano Rivera a two-year deal worth $30 million.
In today's wide world of sports, it's not that uncommon to see players move from team to team, whether they're changing into rival uniforms or not. And if the anecdotes in the Globe's "Inside The Collapse" story are true, then why wouldn't Ortiz want to leave? As was the case with Damon, the fans in Bronx would likely warm up to him once he was fitted for pinstripes.
WATCH VIDEO AT THE TOP