Ortiz on M&M: Youkilis can't be picky

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz joined the Mut & Merloni show Friday to promote his charity golf tournament and auction, which are under way, and discuss the team's offseason moves.

"If you want to compete at the highest level, you definitely need to sign good players, and that's what the team is doing right now," Ortiz said.

The team's most recent free agent signing is right-handed relief pitcher Koji Uehara.

"He's a guy that I can tell you, he's funky," Ortiz said. "He doesn't have something special that you can be surprised with, but he knows how to keep hitter off-balance, which is the reason why he gets a lot of hitters out. That's what every team is looking for, right, pitchers that get hitters out? And he's one of them."

Former Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis reportedly is considering a one-year offer from the Yankees.

"I heard about that last night," Ortiz said. "That's my boy, that's one of the guys that I always cheered for. Our careers sometimes get to the point where it's not all about getting picky, it's about who gives you the opportunity and the chance. It seems like New York is the one right now who is pulling for bringing Youk to play for them. I always wish him good luck and the best to him and his family."

Asked if he would have considered playing for the Yankees if he had not re-signed with Boston, Ortiz said: "Like I say, we don't get picky at some point in our career. Thank God I have the opportunity of the Red Sox offering me a contract and I don't have to think about it. I haven't [thought] about it. I don't know what to tell you now, but I don't have to go anywhere."

Following are more highlights from the interview.

On former Sox manager Bobby Valentine: "You guys know how I am. You guys have been dealing with myself for a long time. I'm a guy that I like to turn the page and keep the line moving. We are right now trying to rebuild. We've got a new manager, a guy that comes in here with the Red Sox, John [Farrell], he did an outstanding job while he was part of this organization. I'm pretty sure that he knows pretty much what we need to do to have a better team for next year, 2013. Hopefully everything goes well with him."

On how he is recovering from his Achilles injury: "Getting better, getting better. I'm improving. I had some of the doctors down here last week, and they found me that I'm moving forward the way they expect me to do. And you just keep on working."

To hear the interview, go to the Mut & Merloni audio on demand page [1]. For more Red Sox news, visit the team page at weei.com/redsox [2]. For more information on Ortiz' golf tournament and auction, visit www.davidortizchildrensfund.org [3].