David Ortiz and Boston Red Sox agree on two year deal – MLB Update
David Ortiz has agreed to a two year $26 million dollar deal with the Boston Red Sox, reports a leading sports website. Ortiz will be also eligible for $4 million incentives that could raise the value of the contract to $30 million, the source further claimed.
The designated hitter had a decent time on the plate for the Red Sox last season. He hit .318 with 23 home-runs and .415 OBP. However, despite his heroic efforts, the Red Sox finished at the bottom of the American League East Division standings table.
Both parties signed on the contract on Friday night. A Major League Baseball source with knowledge of the deal has also confirmed the deal.
Ortiz is one of those players who are always working hard to keep themselves in good shape. He attended the Boston Celtics’ home opener on Friday evening and received a standing ovation from the crowd.
The Red Sox had earlier made a qualifying offer to Ortiz to ensure at the very least they get a compensation or draft pick should Ortiz reach an agreement with any other team.
Ortiz’s agent Fernando Cuza and the Red Sox were having discussions since the end of the season. The two parties finally got close to a deal in the last two days. Although Ortiz wanted his base salary to be somewhere close to $14.75 million, he happily accepted
the $13.3 million offer Red Sox made to him.
''I don't think there was any doubt,'' he said during a Fenway Park news conference. ''They approached me this year and our negotiation this year was easier than ever. They know what they were looking for. There wasn't even ever a back and forth situation.
It was pretty much: `This is it and let's agree with it.' They know the pieces they need to put together to be successful this year.''
Texas Rangers were also interested in signing Ortiz, seeing him as a potential replacement for the outfielder Josh Hamilton. FoxSports.com was the first to report Rangers’ interest in Ortiz. It will be interesting to see if the hard hitting Ortiz can continue
his superb hitting form in the next season to help the Red Sox reach the playoffs.
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