David Ortiz wants to retire as a Boston Red Sox player, but not if the team doesn't offer him a long-term contract. Big Papi said it's "time to move on" if the Red Sox aren't forthcoming with a long-term deal once his contract expires in 2015, Larry Brown Sports reports.
Ortiz is under contract with Boston through the 2014 season. If the Red Sox are unwilling to offer him a long-term contract after the season, Ortiz could head elsewhere to play.
"Time to move on," Ortiz said, via Larry Brown Sports, when asked what he will do if Boston only offers another one-year deal.
While Ortiz appears prepared to leave Boston if he doesn't like their offer, the slugger did admit his preference is to retire as a Red Sox player.
"Hey, I would like to," said Ortiz. "I'm having fun. It's been a hell of a ride as long as I've been here. But as I always keep on telling people, this is a business. Sometimes you've got to do what's best for you and your family.
"As long as they keep offering me a job and I keep doing what I'm supposed to do and the relationship keeps on building up, I'm going to be there. Hopefully, I won't have to go and wear another uniform."
Ortiz is 38 years old, but his performance throughout last season shows he still has something left in the tank. He batted .309 with an OBP of .395 during the season for 30 home runs, 103 RBIs; he swung even better during the World Series, hitting .688 en route to Boston winning the championship.
