Entering Thursday night's game against the New York Yankees, David Ortiz is just 10 plate appearances shy of the 425 needed to guarantee his $11 million for 2016 with the Boston Red Sox.

Next season would be Ortiz's 20th in the Major Leagues. If he stays in the lineup, he could hit escalators that push next year's salary to $16 million.

There's little doubt the Red Sox would pick up his $10 million team option even if he stopped playing today, but this is always the way Ortiz wanted to extend his career.

"I earned it," he said firmly. "That's why I'm playing next year. Because I earned it."