Big Papi could be in a little trouble for having a big mouth.
Major League Baseball might not be feeling the same love for David Ortiz that everyone at Petco Park did during the All-Star Game.
The Red Sox slugger could face discipline for tampering after saying that Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion would make a good replacement for him when he retires after this season.
Major League Baseball is expected to look into David Ortiz’s comments re. Edwin Encarnacion. Players subject to tampering rules as r execs.
— Jeff Blair (@SNJeffBlair) July 14, 2016
This isn’t the first time Ortiz has talked up Encarnacion as his successor. Before the season, the 40-year-old told Rob Bradford of WEEI that Encarnacion would be a “perfect replacement.”
Encarnacion, who will be a free agent next year, has 23 home runs this season and leads Major League Baseball with 80 RBI. He hasn’t commented on any of Ortiz’s overtures, the latest of which came after the All-Star Game on Tuesday.
Not only did Ortiz continue his campaign for the Red Sox to sign Encarnacion next year, he even slipped an idea into the team’s 2016 suggestion box. He told the Boston Herald that the Red Sox should trade for Marlins ace pitcher Jose Fernandez.
Perhaps Ortiz is angling to be a general manager when his playing days are over.