UPDATE: Ortiz has officially announced that the 2016 season will be his last
2016 will be my final season. Thanks for all the memories https://t.co/RhJHcu4bKw
— David Ortiz (@davidortiz) November 18, 2015
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David Ortiz is entering his 20th MLB season in 2016. And it will reportedly be his last.
The latest rumors find Ortiz will be retiring when his contract expires with the Boston Red Sox after next season. He's scheduled to earn $16 million in 2016, which is the final year of his two-year, $32 million contract. He has a team option for 2017, but it looks like he will be bypassing that opportunity.
Sources: David Ortiz will retire at end of 2016 season.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 17, 2015
David Ortiz is expected to make his retirement announcement in Boston, #Redsox
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 17, 2015
Apparently he was considering it during the 2015 season.
David Ortiz retiring after 2016 is in line with comments he made several times last season. So @Ken_Rosenthal tweet certainly makes sense.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) November 17, 2015
Ortiz joined the 500 home run club this past year after batting .273/.360/.553 with 73 runs scored, 37 home runs and 108 RBI in 146 games with the Red Sox. He has spent the last 13 years in Boston and accumulated a stat line of .288/.385/.566 with 1,125 runs scored, 445 home runs and 1,403 RBI in 1,802 games.
The three-time World Series champion will turn 39 years old tomorrow. Big Papi owns a career .925 OPS and is a nine-time All-Star.
Stay tuned for an official announcement on the matter.
