David Ortiz optimistic of signing a deal with Boston Red Sox – MLB Update
All-Star slugger David Ortiz has clarified his intent of playing for Boston Red Sox for the rest of his career and asserted that he has been proud to be a member of the Sox.
With free agency looming the player, the Red Sox management is in a fix whether to re-sign the slugger or allow other teams to make an offer for Ortiz. The management, under new general manager Ben Cherington, has many decisions to make including that of
Ortiz, Jonathan Papelbon and a need to find and hire a new manager for the ballclub.
Papelbon is also a free agent and has expressed his desire to remain on the roster, given a considerable offer is made by the management. Papelbon has sustained year-to-year contracts throughout his career, earning 12-million-dollars in 2011 alone. His performance
was exemplary for Boston in the regular season, saving 31 chances at a 2.94 ERA. However, even after a strong season, Red Sox failed to qualify for the postseason. In the aftermath, there have been major revelations including one that pointed out on drinking
in the dugout.
Cherington expressed his desire to bring both players back to ballclub for the reason that they have been consistent performers for the team and have been a huge part of the club for the past several seasons.
"One of the advantages of free agents who are coming from your clubhouse is that you know them really, really well," Cherington said. "We know David and Pap really well, they've been huge parts of the team and we would like to have both of them back. We're
going to have to see if there's a contract that makes sense for them and for us, but we would be a really good team if we had both of them back."
Ortiz congratulated Cherington on his appointment as GM and asserted that the team will not regret signing him, if they do so. Ortiz continued that he will never do anything to hurt this organization and that he hopes to stay with this team till the time
he retires. It will be interesting to see how things unfold hereafter.
Tags: