The Boston Red Sox have begun negotiations with David Ortiz and his agent, Fern Cuza, about a possible contract extension.

The two sides met in Fort Myers on Thursday, one day after Ortiz defended his desire to have another year added on to his contract.

"We're going to give it the priority it deserves," Larry Lucchino said. "He feels connected, he feels committed. He's certainly one of the most important faces in baseball, so we're eager to resolve something, if it can be done.

"Since the first day he arrived here, he has been a positive influence on his teammates, a leader, a player connected to Boston. The good will he has amassed applies in virtually every area of our operation, and it was vividly demonstrated last April 20. He was the guy to whom we handed the microphone."