Ortiz has no regrets with decision to retire

As tempting as the thought of having David Price as a teammate for the next seven years is, Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz remains without regret two weeks after announcing that the 2016 season will be his last.

"I had the opportunity to think about it for a long time, and it is what it is," Ortiz told reporters Thursday. "I know I feel good. I know things are going well. I had a good season last year, and I'm definitely going to pull myself together to have another good one this year. That was my decision. I think there's no regrets."

The recently turned 40-year-old has remained remarkably productive in the twilight of his career. Ortiz is coming off three consecutive seasons in which he hit 30-plus homers and drove in 100 or more runs.

Ortiz admits it's been a learning process trying to stay healthy, as he prepares for his 20th season in the majors. Though he's a full-time DH, the slugger managed to appear in nine games at first base in 2015, his highest total since 2006, and has averaged 142 games over the past three seasons.

"I had an (Achilles) injury in 2012, and since that injury, it's you getting older, you having to do things differently so you can continue playing," Ortiz said. "I had the opportunity to continue playing all the games that I played after that because I prepared myself. Through that preparation, you start viewing things from a different perspective. That was my case.”

Following back-to-back last-place finishes, the Red Sox appear committed to making Ortiz's final year a memorable one. In addition to trading for Craig Kimbrel, Boston president Dave Dombrowski landed his highly coveted ace in Price - a deal Ortiz fully supports.

"We need some power pitching," he said. "The organization knows it. Dave knows it. We talk about it. Now, having two very talented players, it's going to help us out a lot."