Red Sox exercised DH David Ortiz's $12.5 million option for 2011.
Makes sense. Ortiz was hoping to negotiate a multi-year contract, but Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein is smarter than that. The 34-year-old batted .270/.370/.529 with 32 homers, 102 RBI and an 899 OPS this season. If he could repeat those numbers around a healthier supporting cast in 2011, the Red Sox would be thrilled.
With the Rangers declining Vlad's option, some thought the Red Sox might do the same with Ortiz but this appears to end that speculation. If I'm the Red Sox, this is as far as I go with Ortiz. He wants an extension but I would wait til after the '11 season to try and bring him back. No point in locking up a 35 year old DH when you don't have to.