David Ortiz Wants Multi-Year Deal From Red Sox

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz wants to avoid arbitration and sign a multi-year deal with the team, according to ESPN.com.

Ortiz added that he has left it “up to the agents and the team to deal with it” while he prepares for the upcoming season.

"I’m just working hard and working out to get ready for the spring. I really would like to get this over with so that we don’t have to go in front of the judge and I can stop having to talk about this," Ortiz told ESPN.com.

According to ESPN.com, the Red Sox had offered Ortiz a two-year deal worth $18 million, which he rejected; he made $12.3 million in 2011.

In December, according to ESPN.com, Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said that he wants to keep Ortiz in Boston.

"If there's a way to make it work, we'd like to have him on the team moving forward and potentially have him finish his career with the Red Sox. We've had good dialogue, and I think there's a good understanding of our respective positions and a lot of mutual respect," Cherington said.