According to reports, the Boston Red Sox have agreed with David Ortiz on a contract extension for one-year and $16 million. The deal keeps the Red Sox emotional leader and slugging designated hitter playing at Fenway Park through the end of the 2015 season when he will be 39 years old. The deal will be announced on Monday.
The deal also includes a club/vesting option for 2016 and 2017 season that could pay Ortiz as much as $16 million. The vesting options are based on his plate appearances.
Ortiz hit .688 (11-for-16) with two home runs and six RBIs in last year’s World Series, where he was named MVP. He hit .309/.395/.564 with 30 home runs and 103 RBI in 137 games during the 2013 regular season.
Ortiz is a career .287/.381/.549 hitter with 431 home runs and 1429 RBIs. He was part of all three World Series wins for the Red Sox over the last decade.
Ortiz signed a two-year $30 million deal prior to the 2013 season. The new deal is a small annual raise for Big Papi.
The Red Sox and Ortiz had been talking extension all training camp. CEO Larry Lucchino had been confident this deal would get done.
“We want it to happen,” Lucchino said at the outset of camp. “We want him to be a guy who, essentially came in with us even though it was 2003, our second year, and stayed with us for the rest of his career. I think it’s a great thing. I know it’s a great thing for us. I think it’s a great thing for David and it would be a great thing for baseball and Red Sox fans. He feels connected. He’s committed. He’s certainly one of the most important faces in baseball, as well as for the franchise, so we’re eager to resolve something if it can be done.”
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