David Ortiz is preparing for the final playoff push of his MLB career and he has big ideas for what the Red Sox should do to make sure he goes out with a bang.
Boston closed out the first half with a 49-38 record, trailing Baltimore (51-36) by just two games in the AL East. The Red Sox also own the top Wild Card spot in the American League entering the break.
Ortiz served as the starting designated hitter for the AL in the All-Star Game and went 0-for-1 with a walk before being pulled in the third inning, where he received a standing ovation and was greeted by his teammates.
With his 10th and final All-Star Game in the books, the three-time World Series champion is now looking ahead and believes there is one dynamic weapon the Red Sox need to complete their stretch run: Marlins ace Jose Fernandez.
"He has incredible stuff," Ortiz said, according to the Boston Herald. "I thought he was gonna 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 is a mutual respect between the Red Sox slugger and Marlins right-hander. Though the All-Star Game is for home-field advantage in the World Series, Fernandez said in the lead-up to the Midsummer Classic that he was hoping to serve up a home run -- one final golden All-Star Game moment -- to Ortiz.
"I would love to face David," Fernandez told ESPN on Monday. "It would be a dream come true for me. I told him yesterday that I am going to throw him three fastballs down the middle. I want to watch him hit a home run."
The two faced-off in the third inning, but rather than serve up a homer, Fernandez walked his idol on a full-count. The Marlins (47-41) are unlikely to deal their ace as they enter the second half six games behind the Nationals (54-36) in the NL East and tied with the Mets (47-41) for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.
Even if the Marlins were out of it, it would likely take a lot for them to part with their 23-year-old ace. Fernandez is 11-4 this season with a 2.52 ERA and 154 strikeouts.
Though the Red Sox have had a solid start to the season, they could use some starting pitching help as they enter the second half with a 4.43 staff ERA.
Beyond this year, Ortiz also reiterated that he believes Boston should sign soon-to-be free agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion, who is currently with division rival Toronto, to fill the void he'll leave behind.
"The Red Sox know also they need to bring a force in the middle of the lineup (after I retire),'' Ortiz said. "And sorry, Blue Jays, but who better than Encarnacion to do that?''
Ortiz's successor will have some big shoes to fill as he ranks fourth in the MLB with a .332 batting average along with 22 homers and 72 RBIs in his final season.
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