Major League Baseball will investigate whether David Ortiz's suggestion that Toronto's Edwin Encarnacion play in Boston next season constitutes tampering under league rules, reports say.
Ortiz made the comments Tuesday during the All-Star festivities in San Diego when discussing Boston's future after he retires at the end of the season.
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“The Red Sox know that they need to reinforce the middle of the lineup,” Ortiz told reporters. “And sorry Blue Jays, but who better than Encarnacion to do that?”
Major League Baseball is expected to look into David Ortiz's comments re. Edwin Encarnacion. Players subject to tampering rules as r execs.
— Jeff Blair (@SNJeffBlair) July 14, 2016
MLB rules state that “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.”
Encarnacion, a free agent after the season, told reporters he was surprised and flattered by Ortiz's comments, but predictably said he's focused on helping the Blue Jays win this season.
