in he was signed by the seattle mariners who listed him as "david arias" (possibly not understanding spanish naming customs). in 1996, the mariners received dave hollins from the minnesota twins for a player to be named later. later that season, the mariners announced that the player to be named later would be arias. when ortiz arrived in minnesota, he informed the team that he preferred to be listed as "david ortiz." he made his major league debut in september of 1997. after moving up and down from the majors to the minors, ortiz hit .272 with 20 home runs and 75 rbi in , when the twins lost in the american league championship series to the eventual world series champions anaheim angels.