John Tomase makes the case for the Red Sox to focus on building around Xander Bogaerts for the future.
David Ortiz knows how to motivate a clubhouse.
The former Red Sox slugger, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame earlier this year, was the face of the franchise for most of the 2000s and helped bring three World Series titles to Boston.
Now, Ortiz is on the staff as a special assistant. And while he isn't physically with the Red Sox in Fort Myers, Fla., as they begin spring training, Big Papi made a virtual appearance Tuesday during the squad's team meeting.
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Manager Alex Cora introduced Ortiz, who delivered a video message to the players at JetBlue Park.
"You guys have the talent. You guys have new teammates, and you need to learn from each other, which is the most important thing," Ortiz said in the video. "If you don't learn ... what your teammates are capable of, you ain't going nowhere."
Ortiz finished his speech in classic Big Papi fashion.
"Take care of business guys. Enjoy the good chemistry that you guys got going on. When you take that field, say, 'F--- everybody. We are the f---ing best.'"
The Red Sox thrived off that confidence in 2021, advancing to the American League Championship Series despite entering the season as title afterthoughts. A good portion of that core remains intact for 2022, so expectations will be raised this season.
But Boston faces an uphill battle in a loaded AL East that just got more stacked Wednesday morning, as the Toronto Blue Jays reportedly are acquiring Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman.
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Can Cora's club recapture more of the magic that brought them to within two games of a World Series berth last season? Ortiz's message should give them plenty of motivation.
