Red Sox Drop Veteran Slugger Dwight Evans

BOSTON —  The Boston Red Sox said today that they would not pick up the option on veteran slugger Dwight Evans’ contract for the 1991 season.

“Dwight has been a tremendous competitor for the Red Sox for the past 18 years and certainly ranks among the greatest players in Red Sox history,” General Manager Lou Gorman said in a brief statement. “It was a very difficult decision not to renew his contract.”

Evans’ contract, which expired at the end of this past season, had a clause that gave the Red Sox an option to renew it for $1.3 million for 1991. A buyout would cost the Red Sox $200,000.

Evans, who will be 39 on Nov. 3, has been plagued by a persistent lower-back problem for about a year.

The eight-time Gold Glove winner in right field was limited to a designated hitter role this season. Appearing in just 123 games, he batted .249 with 13 home runs and 63 runs batted in.

Evans, who failed to hit 20 homers for the first time since 1981, has a career total of 379 and 1,346 RBIs.

Gorman said earlier this week that Evans had asked the Red Sox to make a decision on his return by Nov. 1.

Gorman said that he had talked with Manager Joe Morgan and that they would make a recommendation to the club owners. Both the manager and general manager reportedly are looking for young players to help the team next year.

After going 3-for-13 without an RBI as the Oakland Athletics swept the Red Sox in four games in the American League playoffs, Evans underwent minor knee surgery.

He has said that he would like to play one or two more years, even if he had to undergo back surgery.

Evans could not immediately be reached for comment on the Red Sox’s decision to let him become a free agent. He joined Boston in September, 1972, and became the team’s regular right fielder the next season.