David Ortiz believes the Boston Red Sox have added an “ugly” boy to their bullpen.
Big Papi was surprised that the Yankees traded Adam Ottavino to their longtime rivals in the AL East last month, which meant a pay cut.
“I am glad they received Ottavino from the Yankees. I couldn’t believe the Yankees did that, “Ortiz told the Boston Globe. “It simply came to our notice then. We’ll see how the young talent appears. But now they have more talent. ”
The Nasty Boys was the nickname of the Cincinnati Reds bullpen trio of Norm Charlton, Randy Myers and Rob Dibble in the early 1990s.
Ottavino, who entered the final season of a $ 27 million three-year contract, had an excellent first season with the Yankees in 2019, finishing with 1.90 ERA in 73 appearances in relief.
But the Brooklyn product and former Northeast pitcher fell out of contention in the Bronx bullpen last season, posting an ERA of 5.89 and a WHIP of 1,582 in 18 1/3 innings in 24 games. He also appeared in a single postseason game, allowing a run won in two-thirds of a half in ALDS Game 2 against Tampa Bay.
The deal was the first between the Yankees and Boston since the 2014 boundary agreement that brought infielder Stephen Drew to New York for infielder Kelly Johnson.