Red Sox Prepare for Potential Arbitration Hearings With David Ortiz and Alfredo Aceves

by abournenesn

Jan 30, 2012

BOSTON –– The Red Sox are preparing for the possibility of arbitration hearings with David Ortiz and Alfredo Aceves.

As the window for negotiations gradually close, Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said on Monday the team would continue working to reach an agreement with both players before the scheduled sessions.

The Red Sox haven't endured the arbitration process since 2002, when then-general manager Dan Duquette and former pitcher Rolando Arrojo couldn't come to terms in time.

"We've had continued dialogue with both guys," Cherington said of Ortiz and Aceves at Hot Stove Cold Music panel discussion. "I couldn't handicap it right now. We're just going to prepare for the case. We're a team that will continue to talk right up until the hearing. We'll see what happens up until then."

When Ortiz submitted his salary request, he reportedly filed for $16.5 million while the Red Sox requested $12.65. Meanwhile, Aceves reportedly filed for $1.6 million and the Red Sox submitted $900,000.

Even if Ortiz and Aceves won their respective cases, Cherington indicated that it wouldn't alter his approach for the offseason.

"Sure, if you go to a hearing there’s a chance you win, a chance you lose," Cherington said. "Depending on the outcome, it changes your payroll to some degree. To that extent, it changes things to some degree, but I wouldn't say it's significant."

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