MLB News: Red Sox Wants David Ortiz Play In Boston For 'As Long As He Wants To'

The Boston Red Sox knows how to be loyal to their veteran players saying that David Ortiz can stay with the Boston franchise as long as he wants to according to Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington.

"David knows he's going to be a Red Sox as long as he wants to be a Red Sox. There's been no discussion on it recently. Honestly, we're just happy he's here." Ben Cherington said to ESPN.com when asked about Ortiz’s status beyond the next season of Major League Baseball, or MLB.

“He’s a huge part of what we're doing on the field. I think, given his stature and personality, I know he means a lot to people off the field too. He's part of the Red Sox legacy, part of the Boston pro sports legacy. He's also a DH who hits in the middle of the lineup. That's what we're focused on. We're happy to keep him there as long as he keeps doing it. There hasn't been any conversation.”

Ortiz has been with the Boston franchise since 2003 after his first stint in the MLB with the Minnesota Twins from 1997 to 2002. Nearly 40 years old, the designated hitter/first baseman has been asked about retirement from baseball in previous seasons but has made no announcement what year he’ll leave the sport.

When asked about Ortiz’s retirement, Cherington said that that’s for Ortiz to decide but for the meantime, the veteran is just getting ready to play in the upcoming MLB season.

Ortiz is a three-time MLB World Series champion, all with the Red Sox, with titles in 2004, 2007 and 2013. He was the World Series Most Valuable Player in the last championship. Ortiz has made the MLB All-Star team nine times, from 2004 to 2008 and from 2010 to 2013 and has received the MLB Silver Slugger Award six times from 2004 to 2007 and in 2011 and 2013.

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