Papi: Johan not coming

Sox DH doesn’t see trade for good friend happening

FOXBORO - It wasn’t the holiday message Red Sox [team stats] fans were looking for.

Although David Ortiz [stats]’ infectious smile and trademark hugs were spread throughout Gillette Stadium during his visit to the Patriots [team stats]’ game against Miami yesterday, the message he delivered regarding the possible arrival of Johan Santana was anything but joyous for many of the Sox faithful.

“No,” Ortiz said when asked if he thought his good friend, Santana, would be traded to the Red Sox. “I was (following it) for a minute, but I guess they stopped. They don’t want him to go. (Minnesota) already gave Boston too many good things already. Me, and now Santana? No way.”

While Ortiz’ belief that the left-hander won’t be coming to the Red Sox might serve as coal in the stockings of many New Englanders, the idea of missing out on the former Cy Young Award winner doesn’t thrill the Sox slugger, either. The two have remained close since they first played together with Minnesota in 2000, and Ortiz still carries pictures of Santana’s children on his cell phone.

“Hell yeah,” Ortiz said when asked if he was excited at the prospect of calling Santana a teammate again. “What do you think? That’s a whole lot less trouble for me.”

Starting next week, Ortiz will follow the Red Sox’ offseason movement from his home in the Dominican Republic until he leaves for spring training in Fort Myers. The designated hitter said that after three days of soreness following surgery on his right knee, he has had no problems. He plans to start running in January.

Ortiz also said the offseason’s other hot topic, the Mitchell Report, hasn’t been on his radar.

“I haven’t paid any attention to that,” he said. “I’m sick of hearing it over and over and over. The whole season, it’s tough to deal with all these things going on off the field. Then you’re hearing this stuff over and over and over again. This game is not easy, so to have to deal with that stuff, you just get sick of it.”

Ortiz, teammates Curt Schilling [stats] and Kevin Youkilis [stats] and principal owner John Henry represented the Red Sox before the Patriots game. The team was honored for winning the World Series.

News source：http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1062528