The Boston Red Sox and designated hitter David Ortiz are "starting to close the large gap they had just 24 hours ago," reports Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe:

Red Sox and Ortiz starting to close the large gap they had just 24 hours ago. News of Texas interest, reported by Ken Rosenthal, is real.

— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) November 2, 2012

Cafardo adds that the earlier report from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports stating the Texas Rangers are interested in Ortiz "is real."

It was reported yesterday that Ortiz was likely headed for the open market, as he and the Red Sox were still far apart on a new contract. This came as a bit of a surprise considering sides were reportedly nearing an agreement last month.

It appeared that the Red Sox and Ortiz had agreed that the new contract would be for two years, something that the veteran made clear he would seek this winter. However, the money remained an issue, though it wasn’t viewed as something that would keep an agreement from being reached.

Reports have Ortiz seeking an average annual salary in the range of the $14.575 he made this season.