David Ortiz (Kelly O’Connor via SittingStill.smugmug.com)
David Ortiz has been complaining about the terms of his current deal, but that matters no longer. The 38-year-old has inked a deal that has a $16 million contract in 2015 and a couple club options for 2016 and 2017. The one in ’16 is a $10 million vesting option, which includes vesting amounts for an extra million at 425, 475, 525, 550, 575 and 600 plate appearances in 2015 for a grand total of $16 million. The ’17 club option does not vest, but will be based on the same amount of plate appearances in ’16. as the above options.
The current contract for Ortiz is $15 million in 2014 because he spent less than 20 days on the DL last season. It would’ve been $11 million if he spent more than that.
Ortiz has 600 or more plate appearance in four of the last five seasons.
The all-time leader at hits for a DH and 2013 World Series MVP will now likely be a Red Sox for life with this new deal and will make him happy going forward.
As for Jon Lester, there are talks between him, his agent and Ben Cherington about a contract extension that could be done before next Monday. The left-handed starter had a great postseason and finished 2013 with a 15-8 record and a 3.75 ERA. Monday will be his fourth straight Opening Day start.