[New post] David Ortiz Has ‘No Problems’ With David Price Joining Boston Red Sox

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David Ortiz Has ‘No Problems’ With David Price Joining Boston Red Sox

by Ricky Doyle

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David Ortiz is ready to bury the hatchet for the name across the front of his jersey.

The Boston Red Sox reportedly agreed to seven-year, $217 million contract with left-hander David Price, who has a history with Ortiz dating back to the pitcher's days with the Tampa Bay Rays. Don't expect any bad blood to linger, though, as Ortiz made it clear Wednesday they're now fighting for the same cause.

"That's fine. We need pitching and David Price is a great pitcher and has showed that for years. I hope he will help us," Ortiz told 102.5 FM in Santo Domingo, according to ESPN.com. "It's a marquee pitcher and that's what we need."

Price, a five-time All-Star, certainly fills a gaping hole atop Boston's rotation. The 30-year-old went 18-5 with a 2.45 ERA last season in 32 starts split between the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays en route to finishing second behind Houston Astros ace Dallas Keuchel in American League Cy Young voting.

However, there naturally was some question about how receptive Ortiz would be to Price joining the Red Sox this offseason. Price took exception to Ortiz admiring a home run during the 2013 ALDS and subsequently plunked him in their first meeting of 2014, prompting the Red Sox slugger to declare "war" and suggest the former Cy Young winner "bring the gloves" next time they faced each other. Price also said at the 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game that Ortiz wasn't the same hitter he once was.

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But that was then. And this is now. The Red Sox are trying to rebound from their third last-place finish in four seasons as Ortiz embarks on his farewell tour. As such, Big Papi is willing to let bygones be bygones.

"No problems. All that's in the past. Now he is my partner," Ortiz said Wednesday of Price. "When a person joins your cause, you must leave the past in the past."

The beef appears to have been squashed. Let the bromance begin.