Red Sox and David Ortiz Avoid Arbitration, Settle on One-Year Contract
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Elsa/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Big Papi will be staying in bean town for at least one more season. Designated hitter David Ortiz has agreed to a one-year contract worth $14.575 million.
The agreement came just before a scheduled arbitration hearing between the two sides. Ortiz was asking for $16.5 million, but the Red Sox were offering $12.65 million, so they decided to meet down the middle. Ortiz made $12.5 million last season with Boston.
The 36-year-old slugger enjoyed one of his better seasons in recent years in 2011. He batted .309, hit 29 home runs, and drove in 96 runs. He has spent the past nine seasons with the Red Sox, winning the World Series with the team back in 2004 and 2007.
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