If part of the Red Sox' negotiating strategy with David Ortiz is to let him test the free-agent market because there's no one out there who'll give him what he wants, it may backfire on them.
According to both Rob Bradford of weei.com and Ken Rosenthal of foxsports.com, baseball sources indicate the Texas Rangers -- about to lose middle-of-the-order bat Josh Hamilton to free agency -- have expressed "serious interest" in Ortiz, and may be willing to give him the multiyear contract he's seeking. Rosenthal also said there could be other teams willing to pursue Ortiz, as well.
CSNNE.com's Sean McAdam reported Thursday that, in recent weeks, the Red Sox have softened on their unwillingness to offer Ortiz, who'll turn 37 in December, more than a one-year deal, and that the hangup in negotiations now appears to be money. They have until 5 p.m. today to make him a 13.3 million qualifying offer -- which will enable them to receive draft compensation if he signs elsewhere -- and free agency begins at midnight tonight.