Ortiz sticking with Bosox for another year

BOSTON, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Boston slugger David Ortiz has agreed to a one-year deal with the Red Sox, avoiding an arbitration hearing that had been set for Monday.

The American League club didn't reveal how much it will pay the 36-year-old "Big Papi," but The Boston Globe reported it will be about $14.6 million. Before the deal was struck, Ortiz had requested $16.5 million and Boston had offered $12.65 million.

Ortiz has been with the Red Sox since 2003, helping them to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007.

He batted .309 with 29 homers and 96 runs-batted-in last season.

Ortiz, a seven-time all-star, spent his first six major league seasons in Minnesota. He is a career .283 hitter with 378 homers and 1,266 RBI.