Ortiz: Red Sox should replace me with Encarnacion

David Ortiz's final season is barely underway, and he's already thinking about his replacement.

The longtime Boston Red Sox designated hitter hopes the team will bring Toronto Blue Jays slugger, and good friend, Edwin Encarnacion to Beantown next winter when he reaches free agency.

"He's a perfect replacement," Ortiz told Rob Bradford of WEEI on Friday, shortly before Boston opened a weekend set in Toronto. The 40-year-old added that Encarnacion would be his preferred choice "because of everything, but mostly because he can hit."

Encarnacion, who will become a free agent following this season, would appear to be a perfect fit for Fenway Park. The right-handed slugger already enjoys hitting into the Green Monster, as he owns a .283/.366/.493 slash line with 10 homers and 32 RBIs across 175 career plate appearances in Boston.

He can also play first base regularly, something Ortiz doesn't do outside of emergencies, and has regularly split time between first and DH the last few seasons.

The 33-year-old refused to engage in any speculation on his upcoming free agency, however, citing his self-imposed spring deadline for contract talks with the Blue Jays.

"I just didn't want to talk during the season, and concentrate on my team, winning games and my year," Encarnacion said. "That's why I told them I didn’t want to talk any more when the season started. I wanted to concentrate 100 percent, and I didn’t want any distractions talking about the contract. I wanted to enjoy my season and see what happens."