David “Big Papi” Ortiz will be returning to Fenway
The Boston Red Sox and veteran designated hitter David Ortiz have come to terms and agreed on a two-year deal worth $26 million. Incentives could bring the deal to as much as $30 million. Earlier this week the two sides reportedly were not close, but then today Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, reported the Red Sox and DH Ortiz are “starting to close the gap” on terms of a two-year contract.
Ortiz batted .318 with 23 homers and 60 RBIs while missing almost half the season due to a strained right Achilles tendon. The Red Sox had extended a qualifying offer to the slugger earlier today worth $13.3MM in 2013. Ortiz has spent the last 10 seasons becoming one of the best DHs in the game. He has a .290 career average with the Red Sox, including 343 homers and 1,088 RBIs.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports the Texas Rangers had serious interest in Ortiz. That may have been the impetus needed to complete the deal with the Red Sox. The Red Sox exclusive negotiating period would have ended Saturday morning
Other Red Sox News :
Boston did not make qualifying offers Friday to right-handers Aaron Cook, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Vicente Padilla; first baseman James Loney; and outfielders Scott Podsednik and Cody Ross.
