By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Boston, MA

Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington has stressed that signing designated hitter David Ortiz to a long-term contract will be the team's top priority heading into the offseason.

According to a team source, serious negotiations between two sides could start next week.

"David is someone who we feel strongly about bringing back, and we're trying to figure out a way to do that and we hope that happens," Cherington said.

The 36-year-old Ortiz missed 71 of Boston's last 72 games due to a right Achilles strain. Last week, the slugger said he could start a normal offseason workout regimen next month.

Last week, Cherington also announced that the club is negotiating with free-agent outfielder Cody Ross for a new contract.

In 90 games, Ortiz hit .318 with 23 home runs and 60 RBIs. He also had a league-leading 1.026 slugging percentage but came short of the required at-bats to qualify in the rankings.

Last year, Ortiz accepted arbitration from the Red Sox worth $14.58 million after a long negotiation that dragged through the winter.

Under the new collective bargaining agreement, teams have several options in negotiating with a player like Ortiz.

Instead of arbitration, teams can make a qualifying offer based on the average salary of the top 125 players in the league to their free agents. In Ortiz's case, that would mean a pay cut because the salary is believed to be in the neighborhood of $13 million.

The Red Sox are capable of giving Ortiz the multiyear deal he's been asking for years after shredding huge major part of their salary cap by trading Adrian Gonzalez, outfielder Carl Crawford and pitcher Josh Beckett to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Boston also needs Ortiz for his hitting power after third baseman Kevin Youkilis to the Chicago White Sox in June.

 

 

Red Sox and David Ortiz to Begin Contract Talks Next Week