David Ortiz promises to show patience at the bargaining table

David Ortiz has been around long enough to know that whether it’s his batting approach or the bargaining table, patience is the key.
There were no salvos fired at Red Sox management Thursday at his 20-minute press conference on the bench outside the clubhouse – only promises to be focused on the 2011 season and leading the team back to the World Series for the first time since winning it all in 2007.
“I’m just going to focus on playing baseball right now,” Ortiz said during a 20-minute session with reporters. “Whatever happens, happens later on but right now my goal have a great start and make sure we win another World Series this year. I’m very excited. I can’t wait for the season to start.
“I haven’t thought about it yet. I haven’t thought about it. It’s another year, a lot of expectations, happy to be here and excited about what’s coming up. There’s a lot of new players coming to the club. It’s my first day here and have a lot of questions asked already from those guys. I’m happy to let those guys know how things go around here and make sure our fans get another good year from us.”
For all the good intentions, Ortiz admitted there was little he could do when the team decided to pick up the $12.5 million option for this season instead of extending the 35-year-old designated hitter with a long-term deal.
“That’s something that I can’t really control,” added Ortiz, who signed a four-year deal prior to 2007, with a club option for this season. “I want to stick around but that’s what they had on the table for me at the time and nothing, we just move on. Nothing just another year and happy to be here. I think things went fine. [Red Sox management] did what they were capable to do at the time. We all agreed. New year, new expectations and hopefully injuries will stay away from the team.”
Ortiz raised his average 32 points last season to .270 with 32 homers and 102 RBIs in 145 games.
Looking bigger and stronger than ever, Ortiz reported to the Red Sox spring training facility on Thursday, one day before the first full-squad workouts.
After joyfully greeting new and old teammates alike in the clubhouse, Ortiz took his first swings in the batting cages.
Ortiz is in the final year of his contract, which will pay him $12.5 million in 2011. He signed a five-year deal worth $64.5 million prior to the 2007 season.

WEEI