David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a one-year contract extension on Sunday, according to various reports on Twitter. The deal is expected to be announced on Wednesday.
Ortiz, who was in the final year of a two-year, $30 million extension he signed two years ago, added an addition year and $16 million to his contract. Big Papi turned 38 this past offseason.
Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reported that Ortiz’s new deal may also include a club option for 2016 that would become a player option if certain incentives are met.
Ortiz had one of the best seasons of his career in 2013. He hit .309 with 30 home runs and 103 RBI. He also took home World Series MVP honors after carrying the Red Sox with a .688 average against the St. Louis Cardinals. Back in January, Ortiz said that it would be “time to move on” if the team did not give him an extension. He then lashed out at those who were criticizing him for wanting a long-term deal a few weeks later.
The deal makes sense for both sides. Ortiz wants to retire in a Red Sox uniform, and his numbers last season were certainly good enough to warrant another year on his contract. At some point, Papi will begin to decline. There’s no reason to believe he won’t be able to contribute for another two years.
