Did David Ortiz commit a recruiting violation at the All-Star Game?
David Ortiz made plenty of headlines during his feel-good farewell at this week's All-Star Game. But he also might have gotten himself in a bit of trouble.
Among the many soundbites from the festivities is one in which Ortiz suggested that the Boston Red Sox sign Edwin Encarnacion when the Toronto Blue Jays slugger hits free agency this offseason.
"The Red Sox know that they need to reinforce the middle of the lineup," Ortiz told reporters, per WBZ-TV in Boston. "And sorry Blue Jays, but who better than Encarnacion to do that?"
Edwin Encarnacion
That probably didn't sit well with the Blue Jays, for whom Encarnacion currently blisters baseballs. And it reportedly didn't escape Major League Baseball's attention, either.
Ortiz isn't the first to suggest that Encarnacion would make an ideal replacement for him next season (and beyond) after he calls it a career. But perhaps he should wait until the season is over before he flexes his general manager skills.
As for Encarnacion, extension talks with the Blue Jays reportedly are off until the offseason. He leads the majors with 80 RBI and has 23 homers with an .898 OPS, which means he should have plenty of suitors.
