http://www.nesn.com/2011/12/david-ortiz-contract-talks-ongoing-as-wednesdays-arbitration-deadline-looms.html
"If we don't reach an agreement and he declines, then it's certainly open-ended," Cherington said. "[Wednesday] is an important date because depending which ever way it goes, it's going to indicate his chances on the team or continued dialogue and a chance to pursue other options."
Over the weekend, manager Bobby Valentine traveled to the Dominican Republic to visit Ortiz at his Celebrity Golf Classic –– presumably as a recruiting tactic to woo the slugger back to Boston.
But when asked about the conversation, Valentine wouldn't divulge much information.
If they miss out, Carlos Lee of the Astros is a possibility, or even Carlos Beltran, currently a free agent. Honestly, Lee is not a bad option. He's making $18.5 million this year but the Astros are desperate to move him, so you could have them eat a little of it before sending him over to Boston and you have a hitter making $13-$15 million per year, but with only one year remaining on his contract. So, instead of Ortiz at $12 million over three years or so, your exposure is reduced to one year and all that you might lose is a mid-level prospect. I love Ortiz and I respect what he's done, but he's aging and he's more or less a .250 - 25 HR guy at this point. I just wonder if the new regime has the juice to cut ties with Ortiz, so he may be signed regardless of his decline.
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