by Fitzgerald Cecilio

David Ortiz to Play for Another Team if No Long-Term Deal with Red Sox

Slugger David Ortiz said he will play for another team if the Boston Red Sox will not offer him another long-term deal.

"Time to move on," Ortiz replied when asked what will happen if the Red Sox will not give him a long-term deal when his current contract expires after this season.

Ortiz said he has no problem playing for another team because he wants to keep his career going.

"I haven't seen it but if I have to, I've got no choice, I'm not going to quit. As long as I keep hitting the ball the way I have, I've got to keep on giving it a try," he said.

However, the 38-year-old Ortiz clarified that he wants to retire as a member of the Red Sox and he hopes they will deliver on a long-term deal.

"As long as they keep offering me a job and I keep doing what I'm supposed to do and the relationship keeps on building up, I'm going to be there. Hopefully, I won't have to go and wear another uniform," he said.

Asked how much longer he expected to play, Ortiz said, "It can be two years, it can be three years, it can be 10 years. You never know."

Ortiz signed a four-year, $52 million contract prior to the 2007 season, with the club picking up his option in 2011 for $12.5 million. The club offered him salary arbitration prior to the 2012 season, and when the sides could not reach agreement on a two-year deal, Ortiz signed a one-year contract for $14.575 million.

The Red Sox slugger signed a two-year deal for $26 million last offseason that increased to $30 million after he did not appear on the disabled list for as many as 20 days.

Ortiz, who reached the 2,000-hit plateau last season, hit 30 home runs and drove in over 100 runs for the first time since 2010, saved his best work for the postseason.

He hit a dramatic grand slam in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers that turned that series around, then hit .688 in the World Series, earning him MVP honors.

 

 

Article:
"David Ortiz to Play for Another Team if No Long-Term Deal with Red Sox"