David Ortiz believes the Boston Red Sox have added a “nasty” guy to their bullpen.
Big Papi was surprised that the Yankees changed Adam Ottavino to their former AL East rivals last month, which meant a paycheck.
“I am just happy to see Ottavino from the Yankees. I couldn’t believe the Yankees were doing it, “Ortiz told the Boston Globe. “It can be nasty. We will see how young talent appears. But now they have more talent. “
The Nasty Boys was the nickname for 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 three-year, $ 27 million contract, had an excellent first season with the Yankees in 2019, finishing with an ERA of 1.90 in 73 appearances in relief.
But the Brooklyn product and former Northeast pitcher fell into disgrace in the Bronx pocket last season, posting an ERA of 5.89 and a WHIP of 1,582 in 18 1/3 innings over 24 games. He also appeared in a single postseason game, allowing a run won by two-thirds of an entry in the ALDS ‘second game against Tampa Bay.
Trade was the first between the Yankees and Boston since the 2014 end deal that brought infielder Stephen Drew to New York for infielder Johnson Johnson.