First off, the game has never been pure. MLB should do their very best to police it, but fans should enjoy baseball for what it is, and stop putting these guys on such a high plateau. Along those lines, I find it interesting that you talk about fans wondering about spikes in performances of older players, and then a little later say that the Sox should give Ortiz a 2-year deal. By no means am I accusing Ortiz of PEDs, but personally I feel this might be a good time for Papi to sail into the sunset, and leave the Sox on good terms. He has meant a lot to this team over the years, so I would hate to see it end badly, especially with his propensity to complain when it is not going well. With the recent big trade, the Red Sox are clearly starting a youth movement. To me, Ortiz has done all he can here. It wouldn't bother me if he signed with the Rsys, Jays, or even the Yankees. We saw how uncomfortable it was for Mike Lowell at the end. Ortiz has made plenty of money in the game. He should go out on top in Boston, and make this his last season here.

Nick, Yes, the Red Sox clubhouse soap opera is started by players, but you and your cronies push and prod for more gossip, dirt, whatever you can stir up. Don't feign innocence - its disingenuous.