Multiple sources familiar with the negotiations between David Ortiz and the Red Sox suggested that reports of a nearly finalized two-year deal between the sides were inaccurate. Specifically, a suggestion that a two-year deal for $22 million to $26 million represented a "formality" was characterized as "inaccurate," or at least, at this point, premature.
That said, the two sides have been engaged in constructive talks, and according to a source, the team and slugger are discussing a multi-year scenario. Ortiz met briefly with new Red Sox manager John Farrell at Fenway Park on Tuesday.
"I think David is in here working out. Out of the goodness of our hearts, we kept the door open for David to use our facility here as long as he is in Boston," smiled Cherington. "As I said, we want to have David back. We've had good, amicable dialogue since the end of the season. I talked to [Ortiz's agent, Fernando Cuza] yesterday and we'll continue talking. Our hope is to get something done. I'm sure we'll talk again this week sometime."
Though Ortiz was limited to 90 games this year by a strained Achilles tendon, he delivered tremendous production prior to the injury (which forced him to miss all but one game after July 16). He hit .318 with a .415 OBP, .611 slugging mark and 23 homers in 2012 while playing on a one-year, $14.575 million deal.
This year, the Sox would seem almost certain to make Ortiz, 36, a one-year qualifying offer (in the $13.3 million range) immediately after the World Series to ensure that, if he heads elsewhere as a free agent, the team would receive draft pick compensation for him. However, clearly, both sides are hoping that it does not get to that point.
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