Reigning World Series MVP David Ortiz is not interested in waiting until next year for a contract extension, saying there is no agreement between him and the Boston Red Sox that forbids both parties to talk about a contract extension until his current deal ends at the end of the 2014 season.
"We don't have any agreement that says we have to wait until the end of the season to negotiate," Ortiz told WEEI.com. "Why would I do that? I want to get a deal done."
Big Papi, as Ortiz is fondly called, said that his agent Fern Cuza has already started conversations with Red Sox GM Ben Cherington. It was Ortiz himself who bared to the media on Friday during his charity golf event that there were already talks about his contract extension.
Considered as the face of baseball right now after leading the Red Sox to the World Title after beating the St. Louis Cardinals, Ortiz said he can play one to two more years. "We gave then what they wanted. I don't have next year guaranteed and I think I can play another one. We're working on that. Who knows? As long as I feel good I'm going to want to play. I think everybody is in good shape to negotiate another year and move on."
Asked he is willing to wait until next season to renegotiate his contract, Ortiz was straight-forward. He told the website: "What for? You know what's going to happen if I'm healthy and good to go. I just hate the situation where I have to sit down at the end of the year and talk about my following year. Let's do it now. We're world champs right now."
Red Sox president Larry Luchino on Saturday was tight-lipped on whether talks between the club and their star player had indeed started, but he did comment on the future of the 38-year old designated hitter.
"We would like to have him play the rest of his career for the Red Sox," Lucchino said. "I think David feels he can hit until he's 50 or 60, but at some point the realities of aging will catch up. I'm glad he has a strong interest in signing with the club going forward that will make the negotiating process, whenever it occurs, a little easier."
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