MLB Free Agents 2012: Why Boston Red Sox Should Send David Ortiz Packing

It’s time for the Boston Red Sox to divorce themselves from free-agent David Ortiz.

It’s been a great 10 years, but the Red Sox need to make gigantic changes and getting rid of one of their biggest names would certainly qualify.

He wasn’t involved in chicken/video games/beer-gate, but that’s not the point here. Ortiz isn’t the same player he once was (thanks HGH) and represents an era in Boston that is officially over.

With Theo Epstein and Terry Francona parting ways, this is a revamped organization. For better or worse? That’s yet to be determined.

New general manager Ben Cherington has at least some intent to keep him. He told reporters that the two parties have already begun discussions on a new contract:

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"We have had a lot of dialogue with David and his agents because of what I feel, and I think he feels, is a little more of a defined market for that role it's been easier to engage sooner."

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When he first signed on the dotted line to become the Red Sox GM, Ortiz was the first thing on his list of things to do.

That’s a big mistake.

Clearly the 36-year-old hasn't been the same since the mid-2000s and the rest of baseball knows as much. After a disastrous 2008 campaign, he has enjoyed a bit of a rebirth the past three seasons, yet it’s hard to see him keeping it up. History is not on his side.

New Orioles GM Dan Duquette considers Ortiz “a luxury item” and Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos consider finding a new DH at the bottom of his priority list.

He made $12.5 million this past season, finishing with a .309 average with 29 homers and 96 RBI, which is solid value for a big-market team like the Red Sox.

Big Papi isn’t getting any younger; his numbers have reflected as much and it’s hard to imagine a similar output in 2012.

With all of the issues with the pitching staff, they need to forget about Big Papi and find a cheaper, younger and versatile replacement that can fill the void of Ortiz.

Loyalty only goes so far in professional sports…Ortiz’s time should be up in Beantown.