MLB News: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox Agree To $16 Million Extension Through 2015 Season With Options For 2016 And 2017

Hoping to finish his career in a Boston Red Sox uniform, 38-year-old Dominican Republic native David Ortiz took one step closer to that goal this week, inking a fresh extension that will keep him with the defending World Series champions while also paying the slugger a comfortable salary. A three-time World Series champion, Ortiz came to terms on a deal worth $16 million that will extend him through the 2015 season but future career stability is a strong possibility for the years following. With a club-vesting option for the 2016 MLB season that will automatically come to fruition if Ortiz reaches a certain number of plate appearance and a club option for 2017, a strong likelihood exists that David Ortiz will finish his career in Boston.

“We want it to happen,” Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino said of the club's desire to retain Ortiz for the remainder of his stellar career. “We want him to be a guy who essentially came in with us even though it was 2003, our second year, and stayed with us for the rest of his career. I think it's a great thing. I know it's a great thing for us. I think it's a great thing for David and it would be a great thing for baseball and Red Sox fans. He feels connected. He's committed. He's certainly one of the most important faces in baseball, as well as for the franchise, so we're eager to resolve something if it can be done.”

Despite struggling throughout the current Spring Training period, the former Minnesota Twins first baseman/designated hitter still holds the ability to be a highly productive player. Appearing in 137 regular season games a year ago, Ortiz batted a crisp .309 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs while also helping the Red Sox claim their first World Series championship since 2007. Completely happy with the reached agreement, Red Sox owner John Henry looks forward to watching David Ortiz continue his career in Boston, a career he hopes leads to an eventual place in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

“With this agreement, we have near certainty that David Ortiz will finish his career in a Red Sox uniform, which is something we have all wanted and that we are all proud of," Henry said. "It is difficult to describe David's contributions to our city both on the field and off the field, and we are so proud to have this ambassador of our game with us as he continues on this road to Cooperstown.”