By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that the Red Sox submitted $12.65 million as a proposed salary for David Ortiz. The DH is seeking $16.5 million.
Given that Ortiz made $12.5 million last year, the offer of a 1.2 percent raise from the Sox seems a little low. Ortiz hit .309 with a .953 OPS last season. He had 40 doubles, 29 homers and 96 RBI.
On the other hand, Ortiz is reaching a bit seeking a 32-percent bump.
In the past, arbitration panels have appeared to put more stock in traditional statistics such as batting average, home runs and RBIs. That would seem to favor Ortiz. What could work against him is that there are virtually no comparable players of his age and ability who have gone through the arbitration process.
My guess is that the sides settle somewhere in the middle. The last thing the Red Sox want to do is get in a hearing room with Ortiz and make a presentation why they don't want to pay him as much as he wants.
For all his outward mirth and merriment, Ortiz is sensitive when it comes to financial issues. Going to a hearing could cause issues the Red Sox do not need going into spring training.
UPDATE, 9:08 p.m.: Here are the arbitration numbers for the other unsigned Red Sox:
Alfredo Aceves is seeking $1.6 million with the Red Sox offering $900,000. Daniel Bard asked for $1.825 million with the Red Sox proposing $1.4 million. Andrew Bailey is seeking $4.7 million with the Red Sox offering $3.35 million.
Sean McAdam of Comcast had those figures first.