David Ortiz has seen the Red Sox finish last in their division the last two seasons and three times in the last four years.
The Hall of Famer believes his former teammate Craig Breslow, the new head of baseball operations, can make a difference by moving away from advanced statistics somewhat.
“I heard he’s trying to distance himself from that and value the old ways,” Ortiz said.
The legendary slugger spoke with the AP as part of his golf tournament, the 15th annual classic named after him.
The event takes place in Marco Island, Florida.
“It’s a good place to start [returning to old-fashioned ways],” Ortiz continued. Baseball has become all about new statistics and, ultimately, that aspect has its limits. »
“You need people with heart and baseball experience, people who can advise young players well. »
Ortiz points to the World Series and this year’s playoffs as proof that experience and using old hands as managers pays off.
Bruce Bochy and the Rangers triumphed. Dusty Baker guided the Astros, while Torey Lovullo and the D’Backs lost in the final round against Texas.
“Several clubs had old-school managers. The young people learned a lot with these dinosaurs, said Ortiz. These managers have come a long way and they have something to contribute. They teach what has been neglected for five or ten years, and that explains their success.
“You shouldn’t dismiss everything from new statistics, but you should emphasize experience at any given moment. »
In terms of free agents to consider for the Red Sox, Big Papi knows that getting Shohei Ohtani would be very expensive.
“Everyone would love to have it, but how many people will get the chance? » asked the winner of three World Series with Boston.
“We are talking about one of the best players in history. It’s going to take a lot of money to hire this guy. »
A former reliever, Breslow played for five seasons with the Red Sox, in a city where the pressure is heavy. Ortiz believes it will help him in his work.
“All the little details that you don’t know if you’ve never been in the locker room, he knows them,” Ortiz said. I have great confidence in Breslow. »
Ortiz turned 48 on November 18. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.
His golf tournament raises money for pediatric care in New England and his native Dominican Republic.