MLB Likely to Investigate David Ortiz For Tampering

(David Ortiz, photo credit: bostonglobe.com)

During the 2016 All Star festivities in San Diego, many eyes and ears were focused on Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz. Appearing in his 10th and final All Star game, Ortiz received attention all weekend for the phenomenal season he is having and the lasting mark he will have left on the game of baseball once he retires after this season.

Unfortunately for MLB executives, Ortiz also seemed to be leaving a mark on the player acquisition aspect of the sport, as well.

In postgame interviews with reporters, Ortiz expressed his desire for the Red Sox organization to replace him with Edwin Encarnacion of the Toronto Blue Jays. Citing Encarnacion's skill set, Ortiz explained, "The Red Sox know that they need to reinforce the middle of the lineup. And sorry Blue Jays, but who better than Encarnacion to do that?" Additionally, Ortiz had high praise for Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Fernandez: "He has incredible stuff. I thought he was gonna end up playing with me this year. I mean, you never know. I want him in my starting rotation. I mean, we need a little bit of help and hopefully that happens at some point, who knows?"

What comes across merely as friendly compliments towards high-profile colleagues is instead considered a mildly-serious offense in the eyes of MLB executives. According to MLB rules, "there shall be no negotiations or dealings respecting employment, either present or prospective, between any player, coach or manager... unless the Club or baseball employer with which the person is connected shall have, in writing, expressly authorized such negotiations or dealings prior to their commencement." In other words, no players, coaches or other team employees are allowed to discuss the status of players that are under contracts with other teams. The penalty for such an offense is usually a fine.

With Ortiz' stature as a great ambassador for the sport, and his status as retiring after this season, it is unlikely he had any malicious intent, or cared much about the repercussions of his words. Encarnacion was ecstatic to hear that Ortiz thought so highly of him: "I feel great because people like David Ortiz are thinking about me like that."