 12/16/2002 2:02 pm ET
Twins release Ortiz
SS Jose Morban selected in Rule 5 draft
By Todd Lorenz / MLB.com
MINNEAPOLIS -- The speculation over what the Twins would do with first baseman/designated hitter David Ortiz came to an end Monday when the team released him to make room on the roster for shortstop Jose Morban, who was selected from Texas with the 22nd overall pick in the Rule V draft.
Ortiz hit .272 with 20 home runs and 75 RBIs in 125 games for the Twins last season. In four-plus seasons with Minnesota, Ortiz batted .266 with 108 doubles, 58 home runs and 238 RBIs.
"I really would have liked to deal David," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said. "But I couldn't find a taker."
The main reason Ryan couldn't get a better return on Ortiz is that he was one of four Twins eligible for arbitration and likely to earn a sizeable raise in the process. Other teams now have two days to claim Ortiz off waivers, in which case he would still go to arbitration, before he becomes a free agent.
"There are other players that clubs like as much or more," Ryan said. "But that doesn't mean that David won't have people come and be interested in him."
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