INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- According to a baseball source, the Orioles would have had interest in signing David Ortiz if the designated hitter didn't re-sign with the Red Sox before Boston's exclusive negotiating period ran out. The DH inked a two-year, $26 million deal with the Red Sox that will pay Ortiz $15 million per season if he isn't on the disabled list for more than 20 games due to an Achilles tendon injury.
Another source previously confirmed that the Rangers were potentially prepared to offer Ortiz a multi-year deal if the 36-year-old hit the open market. When asked about the report at the General Managers meetings Wednesday, Texas GM Jon Daniels declined comment.
Chris Davis served as the primary designated hitter for the Orioles in '12, manning the position 60 times. Davis would be moved to the outfield later on in the season, with Jim Thome picking up many of the at-bats.
Another rumor making the rounds recently, suggesting the Angels might be interested in re-acquiring John Lackey from the Red Sox, was ruled out by multiple sources familiar with the situation Wednesday. "That's not going to happen," said one of the sources. "Neither side is interested."
For more coverage from the GM meetings, go to the Red Sox team page at weei.com/redsox [1].
Links:
[1] http://weei.com/redsox
[2] http://www.weei.com/category/boston/red-sox