The Red Sox and impending free agent David Ortiz are expected to have a meeting as soon as Monday. They've already had one face-to-face meeting back on October 21. The Sox have yet to extend an offer to Ortiz, and they won't necessarily do so before he hits free agency, but there is mutual interest in Big Papi re-signing. He's seeking a three-year deal in the $10 million per year range.

A pair of National League general managers told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that they could potentially see impending free agent David Ortiz sign somewhere as a full-time first baseman. "I think more and more teams will look into it,'' said an NL East GM. "To have that kind of bat in the middle of an NL lineup at relatively short years and money for that type of production might be worth the deficiency you'd have at first base." Ortiz has played a handful of games at first base over the last few years during interleague play, but the last time he started more than 10 games at the position was 2004. He's almost surely going to be limited to a DH role. Big Papi would like a three-year deal in the $10 million per year range from the Red Sox but would likely settle for a two-year pact.

According to the Boston Herald, the Blue Jays "will not rule out" making a strong push for David Ortiz. Ortiz fits the left-handed slugging complement to Jose Bautista that the Jays have been looking for and has ties to current Jays manager John Farrell from their days together in Boston. Coming off a season where he posted his highest batting average (.309) and on-base plus slugging percentage (.953) since 2007, Big Papi is expected to seek a two- or three-year contract and an annual salary in the $10 million range. That might not be out of reach for Toronto.

David Ortiz on Thursday clarified previous comments he made about joining the Yankees, saying "I never said I would sign with the Yankees," and that he "would like to come back" to the Red Sox. "I never said I would sign with the Yankees. No, no, no,'' he said. "They asked me if I would play with the Yankees. I said I would think about it. I didn't say I would go to the Yankees. I'm still with the Red Sox, aren't I?'' Ortiz is believed to be seeking a two-year deal that approaches the annual value of $12.5 million that he earned this season. He'll turn 36 next month, but after batting .309/.398/.554 with 29 homers and 96 RBI this season, his salary expectations probably aren't unreasonable.

During an interview Wednesday with ESPN's Colleen Dominguez, David Ortiz suggested he might want to play elsewhere next season -- and that joining the Yankees is "something I gotta think about." Only two weeks ago, Ortiz expressed interest in re-signing with Boston. In the face of the September collapse, Terry Francona's departure, and Theo Epstein's impending move to the Cubs, Ortiz remarked that there's "too much drama" right now, and that he's open to making a fresh start elsewhere. Stay tuned.

David Ortiz went a combined 1-for-8 with two walks in Sunday's doubleheader against the Yankees. Entering Sunday, Ortiz was hitting .305 lifetime against the Yankees, including a .302 mark in 63 at-bats this season. So his 1-for-12 effort in the weekend series was a little out of character. He's now 7-for-41 (.171) in Boston's last 12 losses. The Red Sox needs more from Big Papi during these final three games.

David Ortiz singled twice and drew a walk in three at-bats in his return to the lineup Thursday. Ortiz was removed late in the game as a precaution after the Rays got up big, but he didn't do anything to re-injure his back. We should see Big Papi back in the lineup Friday.

David Ortiz (back) is in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays. Ortiz missed the previous two games with back spasms. We're talking about a small sample here, but the veteran slugger is batting .132 (5-for-38) against the Rays this season.

David Ortiz (back) is not in the starting lineup Wednesday afternoon against the Blue Jays. Ortiz left Tuesday's game with back spasms and is considered day-to-day. Ryan Lavarnway will serve as the designated hitter Wednesday and bat sixth against left-hander Ricky Romero.

David Ortiz was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to back spasms. Ortiz was in the lineup before being removed prior to his first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning. It's obviously poor timing for the slumping Red Sox as they try to hold off the Rays for the wild card. The Red Sox haven't provided further details on his status, but he's likely day-to-day.