Dan Wheeler, David Ortiz receive arbitration offers – MLB Update
On the completion of the salary negotiation deadline, the Boston Red Sox has bombarded on most of their free agents while given chances to two of their players to come into arbitration.
The American League Eastern franchise have given offer to David Ortiz and Dan Wheeler to come and join arbitration while left-handed pitcher Erik Bedard and Trever Miller, outfielders Conor Jackson and J.D. Dew, catcher Jason Varitek and right-handed pitcher
Tim Wakefield have not been given chances to come into arbitration. Ortiz and Wheeler will have to accept the arbitration offer before December 7. The club has set a condition to enter into or reach into a contract with any of their free agents before the
deadline.
Red Sox have shown their early interest in hiring David Ortiz. The Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington had already made it clear that he had been looking to hire the designated hitter since the end of the 2011 season, in which the club had their worst
September-disaster in the history of baseball. Cherington contacted Ortiz’s agent and expressed his desire to stick with the hitter for the club for the 2012 season and beyond that, if the slugger is ready to accept this offer.
Ortiz had already shown his interest to spend his remaining career with Boston. The 36-year-old batter however is interested to accept a multi-year deal.
"If the Red Sox sign me they won't regret it," Ortiz told to major news channel. "I've got so many ways to keep doing what I've been doing around here. I bring so much to this organization; I bring so much to the table here because I care so much about this
organization."
According to the rules, the Boston Red Sox may have two bonus draft picks, but it all depends on Ortiz’s decision. On accepting the deal, Ortiz will provide the club the chance and restrict the other clubs to sign him until the first round pick.
"David knows we want him to be here, we want him to be back with the Red Sox and we want him in our lineup," Cherington said last week.
Last season, Ortiz hit .309 with 29 homers and 96 RBIs.
Having a 2-2 record with a 4.38 ERA in 47 games, relief pitcher Wheeler is a Type-B free agent but is being given a chance, while another Type-B agent Varitek has not been called in arbitration.
It will be interesting to see if Ortiz signs with the Red Sox and what type of impact he may have on the team for the 2012 regular season. The team will be looking to Ortiz to increase the depth of the batting line-up.
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