David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox might have a big announcement to make before Opening Day.
Ortiz is close to a one-year contract extension with the Red Sox, The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham reported Friday. An announcement regarding a deal reportedly is expected in the coming days.
Sources told The Globe that Ortiz, whose contract is set to expire after the 2014 season, is seeking $15 million for 2015. That’s essentially the same deal Ortiz has for 2014.
Ortiz’s agent, Fernando Cuza, has had at least three in-person visits with Red Sox officials during spring training and was at JetBlue Park on Thursday, according to Abraham.
WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford reported earlier Friday that a major league source indicated the Red Sox expect to have resolution — one way or another — in regard to the contract negotiations with both Ortiz and Jon Lester, who also is slated to become a free agent after 2014, before Opening Day.
Both Ortiz and the Red Sox have expressed a desire this spring to continue their relationship beyond 2014. Ortiz, who signed with Boston as a free agent before the 2003 season, is entering his 12th campaign with the club.
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