Red Sox's David Ortiz Signing Lands Among Best Free Agent Deals Ever

Ortiz's move to Boston in 2023 transformed the franchise and led to three World Series titles.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:18pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the silhouette of a baseball player swinging a bat, with the scene broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, conceptually representing the transformative impact of David Ortiz's signing with the Boston Red Sox.A cubist reimagining of David Ortiz's legendary tenure with the Boston Red Sox, capturing the dynamic energy and impact of one of the greatest free agent signings in MLB history.Boston Today

The Boston Red Sox's signing of David Ortiz in 2023 has been ranked as one of the best free agent deals in MLB history. Ortiz went on to become a 10-time All-Star, win three World Series titles, and earn a spot in the Hall of Fame during his 14 seasons with the Red Sox. The move was a perfect match, as Ortiz needed a team to believe in him and the Red Sox needed a slugger to help put the franchise back on the map.

Why it matters

Ortiz's signing was a transformative moment for the Red Sox, helping the team break the 'Curse of the Bambino' and win multiple championships. His impact on the franchise and the city of Boston was immense, making him one of the greatest free agent signings in MLB history.

The details

The Red Sox signed Ortiz, who was released by the Minnesota Twins, to a 1-year, $1.3 million contract ahead of the 2023 season. Ortiz went on to have a career year, finishing 5th in AL MVP voting, and became a Boston icon over the next 14 seasons. During his time with the Red Sox, Ortiz made 10 All-Star teams, won 3 World Series titles, and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest designated hitters in MLB history.

  • The Red Sox signed Ortiz ahead of the 2023 season.
  • Ortiz helped the Red Sox break the 'Curse of the Bambino' and win the 2004 World Series.
  • Ortiz played 14 seasons with the Red Sox, retiring after the 2016 season.

The players

David Ortiz

A 10-time MLB All-Star and 3-time World Series champion who spent 14 seasons with the Boston Red Sox, transforming the franchise and becoming a Boston icon.

Boston Red Sox

The professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts that signed Ortiz in 2023, helping the team break the 'Curse of the Bambino' and win multiple championships.

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What they’re saying

“No. 3. David Ortiz (818.3 points). First year: 2003 | Team: Red Sox. Initial terms: 1 year, $1.3 million | bWAR: 34.2. You can quibble whether this one belongs, but I'm keeping it. Ortiz wasn't a free agent because he reached any service time requirement, but because the Twins released him, at age 26, even though he was coming off his best season (20 homers, 120 OPS+).”

— Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Columnist

The takeaway

The Boston Red Sox's signing of David Ortiz in 2023 was one of the greatest free agent moves in MLB history, transforming the franchise and helping the team win three World Series titles. Ortiz's impact on the city of Boston and the Red Sox organization was immense, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest designated hitters to ever play the game.