Report: David Ortiz, Red Sox Close to Finalizing Two-Year Contract to Keep Slugger in Boston

by Dan Duquette Jr. on Tue, Oct 23, 2012 at 3:29PM

John Farrell has been announced as the new Red Sox manager, but the team might not be done making deals this week.

David Ortiz and the team are close to finalizing a deal for the slugger to return to Boston, according to ESPN.com. The deal would be for two years, according to the report, which is something that Ortiz has been very vocal about wanting in the past.

The two sides are reportedly still discussing financial terms, but according to the report, the team will announce the deal later this week.

Ortiz, who will turn 37 in November, underwent shockwave therapy for his injured Achilles this offseason, but the Sox appear to have confidence in the designated hitter's health. Big Papi, meanwhile, has been hinting that he would return to the Red Sox in 2013, telling The Boston Globe recently that he felt good about his chances of being back in a Red Sox uniform soon.

In 90 games for the Sox last season, Ortiz hit .318 with 23 home runs and 60 RBIs.