David Ortiz wants to avoid arbitration

I'm a lifetime Red Sox fan and I love and appreciate what David Ortiz has done for the Sox over the years but I believe it is foolish to put that much money into the services of a DH, a one dimensional position. With all the other needs that the Sox have this year I would not sign Ortiz for 16.5 million unless it was for two years, that's more realistic. Instead, I would have let him walk along with some others and totally revamped this team with a look toward the next few years. By offering him arbitration they have to at least give him one year and I would call it quits after that if I were the Sox brass.

Need to go year to year with this guy, especially with his age. Even 12.65 mill. is too much. Around 9-10 mill. more like it.

Hey! It would go right along with his multi calorie diet. Avoid the fat and then go to arbitration.

I don't understand why Ben Cherington is risking this. If he should continue one thing from the Theo Epstein era, it's that he should do whatever it takes 2 avoid arbitration with his players, and if he has 2 overpay a little, so be it. Besides, as a large market team, we have that luxury. Also, we need more than David Ortiz in this lineup, we need a HAPPY David Ortiz, and going 2 arbitration is a lose-lose 4 both sides. So, Ben, just pay the man.

I would give him 2 years for 23 million. He may be a DH, but he had some great numbers last year. He's still a fan favorite and puts fannies in the seats. I wouldn't want to have to pitch to him either. I think he will win arbitration.

So is he free at this moment, to sign with any club? I thought he signed re-signed after the WS???

Ortiz ISN'T getting a deal longer than ONE year. Sorry big guy but at 36, a liability on the bases and a DH, 12.65mil/yr is all of it.That money could be spent on a premium shortstop or # 1-2 pitcher.................................

Use the money elsewhere, Ortiz is not going to last 2 more seasons. Bring in a less expensive choice. There is not a demand for 16 million dollar DH. Why get buried in this one guy. Thanks David you where good in the past, but your days are numbered by your your greed.

David Ortiz put up some decent numbers last season, but how long can he keep it up? I could see why he would want a multi-year contract at his age, with his reflexes slowing down, and all, but the Red Sox have been stung recently with big long term contracts to unproductive players.

Good Morning Davi, Morning Hooter, Morning Comrade... and the Red sox would like to avoid Hot Dogs, Burgers, Steak on a stick, Fried Pork, Fried Chicken, Kung Pao Crab.... they would like to him to mix in salad every now and then.

The Patriots blow! lol

Too much for a DH... Ortiz put up good numbers last year but possibly 16.5 mill for a DH? I would have thought you'd be able to get both Oswalt and Jackson for that. I'm glad Jackson is off the market... Now if someone else will sign Oswalt, maybe we can hunt for the starting pitcher we really need...

I think David is smart enought to realize if he goes to salary arbitration, he will lose. You should be paid on your current value to a team, not on what you did in the past. That's why David wants to aviod salary arbitration. Anything over 12.65 mil, is a blessing.