"David Ortiz has sung the same tune for the last five years, and he won't stop just because he's a free agent and technically hurting his bargaining position: The designated hitter wants to return to the Red Sox.

In fact, Ortiz said yesterday, if he receives an offer from another team that he's considering accepting, he will give the Sox a chance to counter it.

"Of course," he said. "You know that. The Red Sox will always be the first option."

That's in marked contrast to closer Jonathan Papelbon, who acknowledged he didn't bother calling the Red Sox after getting a four-year, $50 million deal with the Phillies, because both sides knew the Sox wouldn't extend that far."