David Ortiz sticking around Boston
After an exhaustingly bad season and previous negotiating difficulties, David Ortiz still wants to be a member of the Boston Red Sox. And according to reports Friday night, that’s exactly what he’ll get as he and the Sox agreed to terms on a two-year deal.
According to The Associated Press, the two-year deal worth $26 million will give Ortiz the chance to retire in Boston. A baseball official with knowledge of the negotiations told the AP Friday night that with incentive bonuses, the deal could bring Ortiz as much as $30 million throughout 2013 and 2014.
As of Friday night, Larry Lucchino said he had nothing to announce, but did say, “It’s coming.” Regardless, Twitter was filled with fans congratulating Big Papi, and fans cheered as he was shown on the video board at the Celtics’ home opener.
Ortiz turns 37 later this month, and his 343 homers as a Red Sox is fifth on Boston’s career list and his 1,088 RBIs is sixth in franchise history.
The slugger was a free agent and had the opportunity to negotiate with all teams at midnight. The Red Sox made him a $13.3 million qualifying offer, and after negotiations an agreement was reached a few hours later.
While Ortiz got just what he wanted, Boston did not make qualifying offers Friday to right-handed pitchers Aaron Cook, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Vicente Padilla; first baseman James Loney; and outfielders Scott Podsednik and Cody Ross.
