MLB Free Agents 2012: David Ortiz Arbitration Is a Bad Move for Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox made a bold move with free-agent David Ortiz by offering him arbitration for the 2012 season. According to redsox.com, he accepted the arbitration offer late Wednesday night to return to be in the middle of the Red Sox lineup for another year.

But is it the right move for the Red Sox?

Too Expensive for DH Position

"In arbitration, Ortiz would get a raise from the $12.5 million salary he earned in 2011, perhaps making as much as $14 million to $15 million. The Red Sox had offered him a two-year, $18 million deal," reported Ian Browne on redsox.com.

This kind of money is outrageous for a DH position that players salaries are usually about $6-8 million. It would be better for the Sox to have the two-year deal financially, so hopefully Ortiz decides to add another year to this contract.

Ortiz Is Getting Too Old

Ortiz, 36, is going to start tailing fast and the Sox offering him a multi-year deal is not even close to a good thing. What if he starts great in April 2013, but then hits .125 the rest of the season with only around two home runs each month?

That may be too much of an exaggeration, but his age might catch up with him sooner than you think.

Kevin Youkilis

Kevin Youkilis is now forced to be the everyday third baseman and his body cannot handle all the wear and tear that it used to. He was injured most of the 2011 season because he plays too hard on the defensive side of the ball.

If the Sox did not sign Ortiz, Youkilis could use the DH spot more frequently and he could be the productive bat in the lineup that the Sox need him to be to make the playoffs.

Other Options?

The best option the Sox could have looked at besides Ortiz is signing Aramis Ramirez and splitting time with him and Youkilis at third base and DH. That would have made them as productive as they can be without getting too worn out at the "hot corner," as some may call it.

The Sox could also have signed or traded for other hitters that could split time with Youkilis or someone who could play in the outfield, such as Mike Aviles.