Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe writes that the Red Sox are expected to finish a new deal with David Ortiz by the end of the day Friday. This comes on the heels of Joe McDonald of ESPN Boston and Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reporting that the two sides were "very close" to a new contract. No word yet on the specifics, but Ortiz has long expressed his desire for a two-year contract. The 36-year-old has a pretty good case after hitting .318/.415/.611 with 23 home runs and 60 RBI in 90 games this season.

According to Joe McDonald of ESPN Boston, the Red Sox and David Ortiz are "very close" to a new contract. Rob Bradford of WEEI.com has the exact same report, so they might be sharing a source. The Red Sox made a one-year, $13.3 million qualifying offer to Ortiz on Friday, but it's merely a formality, as the veteran slugger wants a two-year deal. There was a large gap in talks as recently as Thursday morning, but the two sides appear to be moving closer together.

The Red Sox made a one-year, $13.3 million qualifying offer to David Ortiz.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox are "starting to close the large gap they had just 24 hours ago" in contract talks with David Ortiz. Cafardo also confirms that the Rangers' reported interest in Ortiz is "real," which might be why the Red Sox have decided to kick their offer up a notch. Boston is reportedly willing to give Big Papi the two-year deal he desires, but the two sides hadn't been able to get together on a dollar amount. It sounds like they're getting closer.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Rangers are interested in impending free agent David Ortiz. The Red Sox are trying to lock up Big Papi before their exclusive negotiation window closes Saturday, but the latest word is that they probably won't be able to. Alex Speier of WEEI.com has confirmed Rosenthal's report and adds that the hangup with the Sox and Ortiz is over dollars, not years, as they're willing to give him the two-year pact he's seeking. Texas is viewing Papi as a left-handed hitting replacement for Josh Hamilton, who is expected to walk via free agency.

Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports that David Ortiz is "likely" to reach the free agent market. The exclusive negotiation window between teams and their impending free agents closes Saturday, and the Red Sox aren't close enough with Ortiz at this point to beat that deadline. A deal should eventually get done, but other organizations will have the chance to take a run at the veteran slugger. Ortiz hit .318/.415/.611 in 2012.

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox and David Ortiz are "still not close to a deal." The two sides are expected to ramp up negotiations over the next two days, however, and all signs point to something eventually getting done. Ortiz, 36, batted .318/.415/.611 with 23 home runs and 60 RBI in 90 games this season while earning a $14.75 million salary. He's likely to eventually sign a two-year contract.

Alex Speier of WEEI.com was told by sources familiar with the negotiations that reports of a nearly-finalized two-year contract between the Red Sox and David Ortiz are "inaccurate." Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston reported Tuesday afternoon that the Red Sox and Ortiz were putting the final touches on a two-year deal, with only the financial terms (in the $25 million range) yet to be decided. While Speier confirms that the two sides have engaged in constructive talks and are currently discussing a multi-year pop, the suggestion that an agreement is imminent is considered premature. For what it's worth, Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington acknowledged Tuesday that he talked with Ortiz's agent, Fernando Cuza, on Monday and hopes to catch up with him again before the end of the week.

According to Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston, the Red Sox are finalizing the terms of a two-year deal with David Ortiz. The two-year term has already been agreed upon, but the two sides are still negotiating the money involved. Ortiz is believed to be seeking $25 million total, but the Red Sox would like to sign him for a few million less. Either way, a deal is expected to get done and the Red Sox hope to announce the extension as soon as Friday. Ortiz is currently working his way back from ultrasound treatment on his right Achilles tendon, but it's hard to argue he doesn't deserve the two-year deal after batting .318/.415/.611 with 23 home runs, 60 RBI and a 1.026 OPS in 90 games this season.

According to a a team source, the Red Sox and David Ortiz engaged in contract discussions this week, though there hasn't been a resolution yet. Ortiz is reportedly seeking a two-year deal worth between $25 million and $30 million. He's currently recovering from ultrasound treatment on his right Achilles tendon, but is coming off a fine season in which he hit .318/.415/.611 with 23 homers and 60 RBI in only 90 games.