The Boston Red Sox announced the re-signing of designated hitter David Ortiz on Monday, and Ortiz later fired back at former manager Bobby Valentine.
ESPN Boston reported that the deal is for two years at $26 million. Ortiz will get $14 million next year and $11 million in 2014 with a $1 million signing bonus. Incentives could up the value of the contract to $30 million. Ortiz made $14.575 million this past season.
Ortiz and the team reached an agreement Friday night.
He batted .318 with 23 home runs and 60 RBI in 90 games. His season was limited by a right Achilles strain he sustained on July 16 and played only one more game after that.
In an interview with ESPN Deportes, Ortiz responded to a television interview a few weeks ago when Valentine said Ortiz decided not play anymore this season because the Red Sox were no longer in the playoff race.
Oritz denied the team’s standings played a role in his decision not to return.
“After he went on national TV to say what he said, he sent me a text message trying to tell me that it was the media trying to change things,” Ortiz told ESPNDeportes.com. “I did not respond to the message and I said to myself, this guy must have some mental issues or needs medicine or something? I said, I am dealing with someone crazy and I am not going to drive myself crazy, so it is better if I leave it alone.”
–The Boston Red Sox are expected to name their new pitching coach on Tuesday and a source told ESPN Boston that new manager John Farrell wants the team to hire Rick Peterson.
Peterson, a longtime major-league pitching coach, interviewed for the job on Saturday.
Farrell had Peterson as a coach when he pitched in the Cleveland Indians minor-league system.
—The Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander pitcher Joel Peralta agreed to a two-year contract worth $6 million, the Tampa Times reported Monday.
Peralta gets $3 million per year and has a $2.5 million option for 2015. The deal is pending a physical exam, which might not occur until next week.
Peralta, 36, has been the Rays main set-up man the past two seasons. He appeared in 76 games this past season with a 2-6 record, two saves and a 3.63 ERA.
—The St. Louis Cardinal have promoted John Mabry from assistant hitting coach to hitting coach to replace Mark McGwire, who left to become the Los Angeles Dodgers hitting coach.
The Cardinals also announced that Triple-A pitching coach Blaise Ilsley will be their new bullpen coach. He replaces Dyar Miller, the only member of Mike Matheny’s coaching staff who was not asked to return.
—Four people are candidates to become the Cubs new color man for their broadcasts, according to CSNChicago.com: Rick Sutcliffe, Eric Karros, Todd Hollandsworth and Gary Matthews. Hardball.com reports that Dan Plesac is also a candidate.