Bobby Valentine shows keen interest in recruiting David Ortiz – MLB News
The Boston Red Sox new manager Bobby Valentine has shown his full interest in hiring designated hitter David Ortiz, as it has been reported that Valentine visited the Dominican Republic on Friday to meet with Ortiz in person.
Red Sox has already given Ortiz an arbitration offer, which according to sources, Ortiz has still not given any hint about accepting, as the last date of December 7 is approaching and a decision will most likely be made by then.
Valentine took a flight on Friday and flew to the Dominican Republic to have a one-on-one meeting with Ortiz, according to the sources.
"I wouldn't miss it. I was able to catch a flight and come on down," Valentine said. "We'll have a little fun tonight, say hello and tell him how much I love him as a player."
Ortiz seems to have interest in the big open market where he can get a valuable price for multi-year deal, but the Red Sox front office has taken every step to get him back in the team. Before an arbitration offer, the 36-year-old slugger has made a statement
about his wish to stay with the club, but the things seem different now.
Ben Cherington has also scheduled a meeting with Ortiz agent Fern Cuza, to be held next week in Dallas, where the final decision might come. Last year, David made $12.5 million but the player is now looking for both a higher salary and a multi-year deal.
This might be considered his last deal in Major League Baseball as a player, because Ortiz has now turned 36 and the clubs will love to head with a young energetic player than an older one. Ortiz seems to understand a stance that is why he has taken into
account the multi-year deal, instead of merely agreeing to one-year extension.
"It's something that I've got to sit down and talk to my agent about," Ortiz told the Herald. "We haven't made a decision yet. But it's going to come down to something this week."
The Red Sox however are in dire need of a designated hitter, Ortiz, who launched 29 home-runs, scored 84 runs and earned 96 RBIs with a batting average of .309, the sixth in the American League is the perfect player for them. He also posted .554 slugging
average and .953 OPS to secure fourth position in each category in the AL.
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