Just before the clock struck midnight, the Red Sox reached an agreement with David Ortiz on a 1-year, $14.575 million contract, avoiding arbitration. MLBTradeRumors passes along the news from Buster Olney, noting that by doing so both sides avoid potentially offending the other side just before Spring Training.
I'm happy he's back, but would have prefered a two-year deal (just as David would have). The organization is showing that it follows the numbers and isn't overly sentimental in its treatment of Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield. And that's fine. But it would be nice to see Ortiz be given a little special treatment, given that he's represented a bargain for us for most of his career. He signed a below-market deal at the peak of his talents because he loved being here. He never entertained going elsewhere this offseason, and that's rare these days.
I'm glad they settled on a contract, but it would be nice if the Red Sox would respect this special relationship a bit more.
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