Report: Progress In Ortiz Talks?
BOSTON (CBS) - The Boston Red Sox might have some competition for designated hitter David Ortiz.
That interest may speed up the process in getting Ortiz back to Boston.
According to ESPN Boston, Ortiz and the Red Sox are making progress towards a new contract for the DH, but no deal has been reached as of late Friday afternoon. But while both sides have agreed the deal will be for two years, the salary remains an issue.
Boston has until 5 pm to make a qualifying offer to Ortiz.
Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported early Friday morning the Texas Rangers have shown "serious interest" in Ortiz, who would become a free agent at midnight Friday if he and Boston cannot come to terms on a new deal.
With the news of Texas showing interest, the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo reported late Friday morning that Boston and Ortiz have began to close the gap in their negotiations.
Felger & Mazz: Mazz' Five-Point Plan For Red Sox
It was reported last week the Red Sox and Ortiz were close to a two-year deal, but reports on Thursday said the soon-to-be 37-year-old DH will hit the open market come Friday night. The Texas interest, which Cafardo confirmed, may be extra incentive for Boston to get the deal done sooner rather than later.
Ortiz played in just one game over the final two and a half months of the 2012 season, but hit .318 with 23 home runs and 60 RBI in 90 games prior to suffering an Achilles injury in mid-July.
Read: Why Ortiz Hitting FA Market Might Help Red Sox
The Rangers are in the market for a big bat, with the possibility of Josh Hamilton and Mike Napoli leaving via free agency. A move to Texas would reunite Ortiz with former Red Sox hitting coach, Dave Magadan, who joined the Texas staff last month.
