David Ortiz signs two year $26 million contract with Boston Red Sox – MLB Update
According to a leading sports website, designated hitter David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a two year $26 million deal on Monday. The contacts value could be raised up to $30 million based on the $4 million incentives he will be eligible
for.
Ortiz has been one of the best hitters in Boston’s batting line-up over the past few years. He helped the Red Sox end their 86-year World Series draught in 2004.
The 36-year-old hit a decent .318 with 23 home-runs and 60 RBI’s in 2012. Surely, he will be looking to carry over his sensational hitting form into the next season to help the Red Sox make it to post-season.
Ortiz’s agent and the Red Sox were in talks since the end of the season but could not finalise a deal. According to sources, Ortiz wanted his base salary to be around $14.75 million which meant the two year deal would exceed $30 million. The Red Sox extended
a qualifying offer to ensure they get draft pick compensation if Ortiz decides to sign with some other Major League Baseball team.
''After the season we identified a lot of things we wanted to do this offseason,'' general manager Ben Cherington said. ''The most important one was to get David signed. This is a very important first step to our offseason. David has been an incredible performer
for the Red Sox for 10 years. What he's done on the field speaks for itself. He's also been an incredible leader of the team as well as one can possibly do that.''
''They approached me this year and our negotiation this year was easier than ever. They know what they were looking for,” said Ortiz.
A source with the knowledge of the deal confirmed that Ortiz has accepted the offer. The $13.3 million deal is the average of top 20 percent of highest paid baseball players in the last season.
Ortiz also attended the Boston Celtics’ home opener on Friday evening and received a standing ovation from the crowd at TD Garden. The two year contract is worth $26 million and it will not change with Ortiz’s performance in 2013 or any other factor.
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