DALLAS –– The status of Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz's contract negotiations is still ongoing.
As the Wednesday deadline looms for salary arbitration, Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington insisted he wouldn't rule out future talks with agent Fern Cuza if Ortiz ultimately rejects the offer.
"If we don't reach an agreement and he declines, then it's certainly open-ended," Cherington said. "[Wednesday] is an important date because depending which ever way it goes, it's going to indicate his chances on the team or continued dialogue and a chance to pursue other options."
Over the weekend, manager Bobby Valentine traveled to the Dominican Republic to visit Ortiz at his Celebrity Golf Classic –– presumably as a recruiting tactic to woo the slugger back to Boston.
But when asked about the conversation, Valentine wouldn't divulge much information.
"He has a beautiful family and is as philanthropic and has a big a heart as I've always heard," Valentine said with a smile. "He's always been a forefront of the young Dominican people that I've always been around."
