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.