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« Cubs a Good Fit for Barry's Bat | Main | Rays Pony Up »
Pirates Could Shop Jason Bay
Read between the lines in new Pirate GM Neal Huntington's recent comments, and it certainly seems like the Bucs might consider trading left fielder Jason Bay this winter. Bay wouldn't be surprised to go.
The 29 year-old has experienced by far the worst season of his career this year. After posting OPSs above .900 in his first three seasons, he's down to just .748 this year (.248/.328/.420). He only really looked like himself in May.
Back in December, Bay had arthroscopic knee surgery. However, Bay has said that this has only affected his explosiveness on the basepaths and not his hitting or defense this year. He's missed time in September with tendinitis, but it's been his other knee. Bay's not blaming his health at all for his down year, though he admits he's slowed down. It could be a confidence issue, it could be that he's burnt out on all the losing. It could be a good old-fashioned off-year, similar to those experienced by top comparables Tim Salmon and Dale Murphy.
At an incredibly affordable $5.75MM for '08 and $7.5MM in '09, many teams would love to acquire Bay. He could certainly return to his elite level of 2004-06. He'd be a nice addition for the White Sox, Twins, Padres (his former club), Orioles, Padres, Dodgers, A's, Rangers, Angels...OK, almost any team. I'm guessing the price would be two very good young players, one or both a pitcher. It'll be interesting to see if Huntington makes a blockbuster deal in his first offseason as GM, possibly at the Winter Meetings.
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I wouldn't mind the Mets going after him...
Posted by: moebarguy | September 27, 2007 at 04:43 PM
How about the Tribe? Huntington knows the system, they've got more than a few solid pitching prospects, and Cleveland could use an upgrade in left field.
Posted by: osutribefan | September 27, 2007 at 04:50 PM
Last year I wouldnt have minded going after Bay, but the Mets need to adress their pitching first, and with Gomez and Milledge both young cheap options, Gomez probably not until 09, and Alou willing to be the stop gap, there is no point in trading youth for him.
Posted by: nrmax88 | September 27, 2007 at 04:57 PM
Let's hope if he makes some better deals than new GM Jon Daniels made with Texas...
Posted by: Guitar Hero | September 27, 2007 at 04:58 PM
What about Milwaukee, maybe Bill hall and Dave Bush go to Pitt for Bay and some lower level guy. Pirates could move Hall back to SS or have him stay in center, and have a cheap innings eater in Bush. If Corey Hart can play CF then you can move him there and have some kind of a platoon in right.
Weeks
Hart
Braun
Fielder
Bay
RF (Jenkins platoon?)
Hardy
Estrada
Nice looking lineup. Probably will never happen because their both in the central, but whatever
Posted by: nrmax88 | September 27, 2007 at 05:05 PM
I could see Atlanta making a huge deal from this. Snell or Gorz along with Bay for Jo Jo, Edgar or Yunel, Devine, and Matt Diaz. We wouldn't resign Andruw to do this though.
Posted by: Chipper | September 27, 2007 at 05:13 PM
no way gorzo leaves chipper out of the question and dont see bush and hall for bay
Posted by: piratefn7 | September 27, 2007 at 05:23 PM
Pittsburgh is already overloaded at SS, so Atlanta would probably have to do something like Jo Jo, Moylan, and Devine.
I could see the Dodgers offering Ethier and Broxton for Bay and Torres. Would fit with their desire to get veterans and get a middle of the order hitter, and the Pirates would get a good young hitter and pitcher.
Posted by: LuckoftheAmish | September 27, 2007 at 05:25 PM
Atlanta and LA (both LA's actually) seem like good fits. Considering his strikeout rate Bays average decline isnt all that surprising but the power outtage is.
Posted by: themfightnwords | September 27, 2007 at 05:30 PM
Yeah, the Angels could still (always) use protection for Vlad. Joe Saunders plus Erick Aybar would probably be enough.
I think if he can get healthy in the offseason, Baby could really bounce back, esepcially with a change of scenery.
Posted by: LuckoftheAmish | September 27, 2007 at 05:35 PM
Sorry, *Bay* could really bounce back.
Posted by: LuckoftheAmish | September 27, 2007 at 05:36 PM
No way the Brewers are giving up on Hall. He costs only $6MM per year for the next 3 years. The Brewers could potentially have a need in LF with the eventual departure of Jenkins and Mench this offseason. Maybe Doug melvin will find Chris Capuano or Carlos Villanueva expendable in order to get Bay.
Posted by: kgbaseball | September 27, 2007 at 05:38 PM
What in the world ever made Bill Hall worth 6 mill a year? Am I missing something here?
Posted by: no funny hats | September 27, 2007 at 05:56 PM
I would love for the Angels to acquire the guy. The problem is there is no where to play him. You already have Garrett Anderson, Vlad, Figgins, Willits, and a whole host of other 4th outfielder types.
You could move Figgins into 3rd but then you block Woods.
If it were me I would look at a Morales, Willits, Aybar deal receiving Bay and prospects. All 3 players going to Pittsburgh are cheap and can contribute immediately as starters for the Pirates.
That would give you a line-up of:
Figgins (CF)
Kendrick (2B)
Guerrero (DH)
Anderson (LF)
Bay (RF)
Kotchman (1B)
Carbrera (SS)
Wood (3B)
Mathis (C)
Angels keep their pitching and still have OF depth.
Posted by: bjsguess | September 27, 2007 at 05:57 PM
piratefn7, how about Zach Duke? He looks poised for a comeback year.
Posted by: Chipper | September 27, 2007 at 06:08 PM
I see the White Sox as a possible fit. How about Aardsma, Masset and Broadway for Bay and a throw in? There's a lot of potential in those three arms and Broadway is going to get the start tonight, possibly as a show case.
Posted by: buehrlebro | September 27, 2007 at 06:20 PM
Im not exactly sure what the pirates need?(though they do need a lot...) The pirates are filled with slightly above average to good players, but absolutly no stars. The two glaring holes on the team are at catcher and third base(though I think nady would fit well at third) but i don't see or know any teams that have an overflow at these positions.
Even though Bay has a little bit of a lower trade value this offseason, the guys numbers are solid and he is not expensive at all. I think his problem in PGH is he has the world on his shoulders. Bay would be better with the A stitched on his jersey on some other team than having the C on the Pirates.
I think for once the Pirates are in good shape in that they do not at all need to dump Bay for salary reasons or financial restraints. If they are going to trade Jason Bay it is going to be for very good ballplayers. All this being said, I would try to acquire a hot prospect 3rd baseman and a young pitcher. I sadly do not know if Neil Walker is the answer at 3rd. If Walker is, he will break the lineup one way or the other.
Posted by: jdt58 | September 27, 2007 at 06:26 PM
I personally think Walker will be a very good hitter, but that remains to be seen. I would try to go after a young middle infielder to pair up with Sanchez and stick Bautista at third. The Pirates have a somewhat crowded outfield in the foresight, with guys like McClouth, McCutchen and Morgan making cases. Then there's Duffy who could get playing time. Honestly, I'd trade both Nady and Bay but that would be taking on somewhat of a firesale approach.
Posted by: buehrlebro | September 27, 2007 at 06:31 PM
doubt it take matt morris littlebrains dug him a hole with that piece of sh*t
Posted by: piratefn7 | September 27, 2007 at 06:33 PM
I think the Braves would be a great fit also. You could move Willy Harris to center, then have Bay at LF. The only problem is Matt Diaz had a much better year, but I still think Bay is the better player. The Braves first and foremost need however is a #3 starter, so any combination of their starters would have to be the center piece of the trade. I agree with Gorz being off limits, Snell would require a Hefty return. Duke or Malhom would be likely scenarios, but I would trade quite a bit for snell.
Posted by: ignyrily | September 27, 2007 at 09:53 PM
I think the cardinals are the perfect fit, because he is right handed and affordable, maybe a package of anthony reyes and bryan anderson gets its done? the pirates get 2 young cheap players with high upside, sound good to me.
Posted by: samael88 | September 27, 2007 at 09:56 PM
"How about the Tribe? Huntington knows the system, they've got more than a few solid pitching prospects, and Cleveland could use an upgrade in left field.
Posted by: osutribefan"
Probably a good possibility. New GMs have to be worried they will get flat out ripped off in their first couple trades/first year. Who better to deal with than someone you know and trust? Cleveland has the need and the prospects to pull it off; and like you mention, he knows the players already so its not like he would need to rely heavily on limited scouting... Only problem becomes Dellucci is displaced for the Tribe (not a bad thing but you know what I mean), although we could see him involved in the deal too as the money isnt horrible.
Posted by: darkstar1661 | September 27, 2007 at 10:33 PM
Yes, acquiring an overpaid, injured, declining veteran as your first move to impress your boss.
The tribe is set for outfielders and they don't need any more quite frankly. I could, however, see Bay going to the Cubs. It seems at this point however, trading Nady might be better and then trade Bay at the deadline.
Posted by: buehrlebro | September 27, 2007 at 10:58 PM
Jason Bay for Matt Kemp?
Posted by: Ralphy | September 27, 2007 at 11:15 PM
"Yes, acquiring an overpaid, injured, declining veteran as your first move to impress your boss"
hehehe... Nah man I meant as a throw-in not as the centerpiece, you should been able to figure that out...
And the Indians do have depth in the OF, but Bay would be an upgrade to the DavidD/Michaels platoon in LF and Fanscisco is probably considered trade-bait. Does depend on the 3B & Blake situation though, if a guys is brought in for there and Casey returns to RF then we have an overabundance again…
Posted by: darkstar1661 | September 27, 2007 at 11:18 PM
Choo, Michaels, Crowe, Dellucci, Gutierrez, Francisco for two spots. Then if Andy Marte does anything, you have more than enough with Blake. They'd probably have to give up a prospect they wouldn't want to. And Dellucci is probably stuck with the tribe, sorry. He'll probably end up somewhere else. If I'm the Indians, I'm paying for a closer this offseason or another set-up man.
Posted by: buehrlebro | September 27, 2007 at 11:24 PM
I say Toronto should get him and bat him 4th and Lyle Overbay 3rd so you have Overbay literally batting over Bay.
Posted by: dudewheresmygrl | September 27, 2007 at 11:27 PM
"Jason Bay for Matt Kemp?"
I thought that immediately after reading this.
What about the Rockies? Is Garrett Atkins and Brian Fuentes for Bay and Duke ridiculous? I don't know that Stewart is ready, or either team would make this trade, but from an outsider POV it makes sense (I think?)
Posted by: JerseyMuscle17 | September 28, 2007 at 12:57 AM
Well, BenFran isnt going to be given a shot as a regular in Cleveland but holds a ton of demand at the moment so will probably be dealt and Crowe hasn’t even made it to AAA yet because of injuries and off play. Then you have Choo, Michaels and Dellucci who are all nothing more than 4th OFers currently making a hap-hazard platoon while Blake is a FA who we are not guaranteed to keep.
Problem comes in the fact that the team wants to add another big bat to the lineup, and it really needs to be the RH bat which we’ve been trying to find for a while (hence the reason we tried Nixon). FrankieG is pretty much a lock in RF, so the only two positions to upgrade would be LF & 3B. Since its unlikely we can pull in a better guy for 3rd, we will be looking for a big RH-bat for LF despite the depth. We will also probably be doing so through Trade as we will be semi-stingy with the cash in an effort to keep CC. Bay fits the need perfectly…
& on the off-chance 3B is Marte or Peralta (with Cabrera & Barfield making up the middle) it would only increase the need for an upgrade in LF that much more.
A closer is also probably coming from within (gotta think one of the PerezBoys will hold it in 08), but it is something that will be addressed. You would think they would have known how to use JoBo after so many years of Wicky, but we screwed him up early and are suffering now… Anyway Bullpen depth is what will be brought in when we deal BenFran, most likely to Fla...
Posted by: darkstar1661 | September 28, 2007 at 01:08 AM
err *** RafaelBoys***
(most likely Perez) was what was on the mind… :)
Posted by: darkstar1661 | September 28, 2007 at 01:17 AM
Sorry, but unless the braves can in some miraculous way convince the pirates that jo-jo reyes and joey devine are the package they are looking for, and I think they could do much better, then this deal is not happening for my braves. Would love for it too, but not likely at all. I say that the two la teams have a great shot at getting him, the twins definitely have the pitching depth to make a run, as do the tigers, the mariners I think have an outside shot, but I think if he is traded, and I have my doubts the Pirates give up on him, I think that he goes to the dodgers or twins. IF the pirates were smart, and really wanted the arms, they would target scott baker and kevin slowey. Now, that may be too much to ask, and I do not know if the twins would ever do that, but I could definitely see that type of deal working out, along with maybe sending jason kubel in the deal and getting zach duke in the deal, just throwing that out there.
Posted by: bravesbeast | September 28, 2007 at 03:09 AM
Thank you, bravesbeat, for not throwing out ridiculous trades that are heavily lopsided in Atlanta's favor like a lot of other braves fans that post here. I like your logic, and as a Pirates fan I think LA Dodgers make a great fit. The bucos could use Andy Laroche and Jonathon Broxton, although I admit that is too much to ask. I would love to see Ethier in a buco uniform (with his .350+ OBP) the problem is outfield is already crowded. Otherwise, Ethier and Broxton might make sense.
Posted by: kett08 | September 28, 2007 at 10:23 AM
Damn, Baker and Slowey for Bay? I think if the Twins were offered that they might faint with excitement. Bay is coming off a bad season in which he got hurt. I'm not 100% convinced that he will be the 140 OPS+ guy from here on in. I know he wont be the 90 OPS+ guy either, however. I think Slowey for Bay straight up sounds about right, considering. I think the Pirates would be better suited keeping Bay for the first 2 monthes and hopes he gets back on track. Maybe than a Baker/Slowey type deal could happen.
Posted by: Ripwa | September 28, 2007 at 10:52 AM
Any Chance the royals get in on this if they decide to move Dejesus? They could use a real hitter in the middle of the lineup, not Ross Gload or Mark "I cant hit for power" Teahen. I wish the Royals were atleast like the Devil Rays, finish in last but have some young studs. The Royals dont have crap besides Grienke. Butler/ Teahen/ Gordon are okay, but they are not Crawford/ Baldelli/ Kazmir/Upton/ Shields. I liked the Gil Meche signing. Would Dejesus and Bannister get Bay? Bannister had a good season but started to get litup at the end. Is this a sell high canidate?
Either way the young teams loaded with young talent have to add some proven veterans if they want to win. Or else they will just be last place teams with young talent.
Posted by: Royal Blue | September 28, 2007 at 12:41 PM
I'd like to think the Pirates aren't dumb enough to trade him within the division, so let's squelch all the Cards/Cubs/Brewers/Astros talk. Sending him to the Dodgers might make sense, but I think LA wants a really big name to "bridge the gap" between its aging vets and cocky youngsters (good luck with that, Ned). Bay doesn't strike me as the leader type. My money has him either going to Cleveland, for the obvious reasons (Huntington) despite the Tribe's glut of outfielders, or the Angels. But Stoneman's so reluctant to make deals, I don't see that happening unless the Pirates don't want much in return. This whole situation could wait a while till some of the bigger guns either get moved or pulled off the market. Bay's not the guy to carry a team, but he'd be a pretty good complimentary piece.
I could see Sowers, an outfield prospect (Crowe or Barton), and another lower-level prospect for Bay, but the Pirates might have to take back some salary (Dellucci) to make it work.
Personally, I'd rather he stay put, Nady move to 3B, Doumit take over at catcher, and Pearce start in RF.
Of course that's just my opinion (augmented by lots of cold medicine), I could be wrong.
Posted by: CJax33 | September 28, 2007 at 07:05 PM
There is a very good chance that the Pirates will make a deal with Cleveland this offseason. (see other posts above.) What type of deal? Well, that depends upon Huntington's and Sharpiro's opinion of Andy Marte. Marte is out of options. Cleveland will either have to hand him the job or deal him. If there is a PIT/CLE Bay trade, I see Marte being bundled with a top pitching prospect.
Posted by: thatteamfromcle | September 29, 2007 at 08:11 AM