Red Sox's David Ortiz Supports Rafael Devers For Speaking Up After Lackluster Offseason

The star third baseman was vocal about the lack of offseason additions

Jul 11, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; FOX Sports analyst David Ortiz talks before the 2023 MLB All / Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Red Sox did not have the offseason fans and media alike were clamoring for after back-to-back last-place finishes in the American League East.

As it turns out, some players were just as upset about the lack of activity, including star third baseman Rafael Devers. The 27-year-old spoke to the media early in spring training about how the team knows what it needs -- implying Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow failed to add enough pitching this offseason. Devers would be right in his assessment. One fan-favorite Hall of Famer had his back after speaking up against his own organization.

"That showed me that he's a winner," David Ortiz told Joey Copponi and I on the ITM Podcast. "If I was in his shoes I would have done the same thing. He gets prepared to win. He gets prepared to demolish baseballs. He gets prepared to bring his best on the field. When I look at him I think of me, you know? He's a guy that doesn't say much and you know when those people that don't say much -- if they talk, then it's needed."

Devers signed a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension last winter and is the unequivocal face of the franchise. He was not the only player to speak up regarding the lack of offseason activity but his opinion certiantly carried the most weight.

It's easy to blame Breslow for the lack of roster moves as the leader of baseball operations but principal owner John Henry's recent frugality is the biggest culperate. With that said, it does appear as though Breslow missed out on some affordable arms such as right-hander Michael Lorenzen -- who singed a measly one-year, $4.5 million deal after an All-Star campaign.

Regardless, the Red Sox came up short this winter and will have to rely on in-house options who have struggled to start in year's past.

In 1975, Miller Lite sparked a debate that lasted for decades: what’s the best thing about Miller Lite? Tastes Great or Less Filling? Iconic stars disagreed for years in some of the most iconic ads of all time, but the debate was never settled. Ortiz was able to sit down with us as part of this rebooted campaign, which also features superstars such as JJ Watt, Jorge Posada, Reggie Miller and Mia Hamm.

The Hall of Fame slugger was all about the Great Taste.

Listen To The Full Interview Here: Ep. 192: David Ortiz