Under the rules of arbitration, the panel would choose one of the two proposed salaries after each side makes its case.
Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington would not comment on Ortiz or the team’s three other unsigned players: Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Bailey, and Daniel Bard.
Aceves is seeking $1.6 million, with the Red Sox offering $900,000. Bard asked for $1.825 million, with the Red Sox proposing $1.4 million. Bailey is seeking $4.7 million, with the Red Sox offering $3.35 million.
Ellsbury received a well-deserved raise from the $2.4 million he made last season. The center fielder finished second in the American League MVP voting, hitting .321 with a .928 OPS, 32 home runs, and 39 stolen bases.
“Happy to get a deal worked out! Excited to get to Spring Training and help the Red Sox get back on top!!’’ Ellsbury wrote on Twitter.
Cherington said the Red Sox did not discuss a multiyear deal with Ellsbury, who will become a free agent after the 2013 season. His agent, Scott Boras, dismissed that idea when asked about it in December, saying such discussions would not be held until close to the time Ellsbury becomes a free agent.
The Red Sox also signed infielder Mike Aviles to a one-year deal worth $1.2 million.
Delicate situation
Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 19, and two Red Sox icons remain unsigned. But Cherington did not sound optimistic regarding the return of Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield.
“There isn’t anything new on that,’’ he said. “We expect we’ll have another conversation with Wake at some point soon. I don’t think our position has changed on that.
“We want to treat both those guys with as much respect as we possibly can, and part of that is being honest with them with what our situation is and what that might mean.
“We’ll continue to have those conversations in a private way.’’
Wakefield, 45, has been with the Red Sox since 1995. Varitek, who turns 40 in April, has been with the team since 1997 and is the captain.
