Red Sox, Ortiz avoid arbitration, sign deal

BOSTON -- David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox avoided salary arbitration by agreeing Monday to a one-year contract worth $14,575,000.

The deal for the slugging designated hitter was midway between the $16.5 million he asked for last month and the $12.65 million submitted by the Red Sox, which matched his 2011 earnings.

Ortiz became a free agent after the season then passed up a chance to go elsewhere when he accepted Boston's arbitration offer.

"I feel happy since I avoided going to arbitration," he said. "People are used to see me with the Red Sox uniform and when you have so much time in one organization, and you're identified with it, the best thing is to stay, even if it is for ... less."

Ortiz hit .309 with 29 homers and 96 RBIs last year.

Signed as a free agent in 2003, Ortiz, 36, is entering his 10th season with Boston.

The first five batters in the lineup also will return, led by center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury. Also back are second baseman Dustin Pedroia, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and third baseman Kevin Youkilis.

Boston and the Cubs have submitted written arguments to Commissioner Bud Selig on what compensation the Red Sox should receive for allowing Theo Epstein to leave for Chicago.

Epstein quit as Boston's general manager in October to become the Cubs' president of baseball operations, and the teams were unable to reach an agreement by themselves on compensation.

Notes

Oakland: Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes and the Athletics agreed to a $36 million, four-year contract.

This is a significant move for Oakland, which now has the steady hitter it sought to boost the roster heading into 2012. The A's also have expressed interest in slugger Manny Ramirez.

Toronto: Right-hander Casey Janssen and the Blue Jays avoided arbitration, agreeing on a two-year contract worth at least $5.9 million.

Milwaukee: Reliever Jose Veras is the second Brewers player to go to arbitration in 14 years.

Veras asked a three-person panel Monday for a raise from $1.35 million to $2,375,000. Milwaukee argued he should be paid $2 million. A decision by arbitrators Dan Brent, Marlene Gold and John Sands is expected today.

Cleveland: The Indians agreed to terms with starter Jon Garland on a minor-league contract.

Garland, 32, went 1-5 with a 4.33 ERA and made nine starts for the Dodgers last season. The Indians have an opening with the pitcher known as Fausto Carmona on baseball's restricted list as he faces false identity charges in the Dominican Republic.