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Red Sox To Talk Bay Extension Before Season

According to Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox plan to discuss a contract extension with outfielder Jason Bay before the season begins but after the remaining big-name free agent outfielders sign.  The depressed free agent market could lead to a reasonably-priced extension for Bay, if he's willing.  Bay signed a four-year deal in '05 to cover his arbitration years. 

Bay's agent may advise his client to test the 2009-10 free agent market; he'd be among the best available hitters.


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Comments

get eeerrrr done. bay wants to stay in boston

Bay should hold off and test the free agent market. He could get Yankee money.

As a proud Canadian and a HUGE Red Sox fan I would love to see Bay there for maybe 5/60? That seems pretty decent.

I wonder how Jason Bay's taste of playing on a winning team will influence his decision? Will it make it more or less likely to sign an extension?

he'll command torri hunter money

"I wonder how Jason Bay's taste of playing on a winning team will influence his decision? Will it make it more or less likely to sign an extension?"

Less likely because he wants to play on a winning team.

Here is my new favorite game... look at the free agent list for the next off-season and decide who will be a Yankee. Right now Matt Holliday for sure. Maybe Bay and Ankiel. Probably Bedard.

"Bay should hold off and test the free agent market. He could get Yankee money."

Especially with the absolutely terrible market for outfielders next year.

"he'll command torri hunter money"

Not hardly if he signs an extension now. His stock is relatively high, but the market's obviously troublesome and there's no guarantee it won't get worse for next offseason. He probably won't do much better than fourteen million per.

The only competition that Bay will have on the market really is Guerrero, Holliday and Crawford, and it's unclear that any of them will hit the market.

If Boston can get Bay signed for like 4/60 or something, then they might as well get that done while they can.

Bay is a damn good player.

Bay would be a fool to re-sign now.

Bay would be a fool to re-sign now.

Posted by: Rich | January 12, 2009 at 11:31 AM

no he wouldnt. he likes boston, wants to play for a contender and will get good money.

I'd like to see something around 4/60, preferably a little lower. But if it ended up in this territory, I'd be fine with it. Bay is an above average OF and showed that he can play in Boston. Would love to see him stick around a few more years.

He'd be a fool to talk extension now...in this market...from the looks of things he will be one of the top 5 FA's next year and command a 100mil+

And anytime a guy can get $60M over 4 years, you can NOT call him a fool.

rfro- there is no way Jason Bay is a $100M player. Not even on a 10 year deal.

i think he'll hold out because guys with comparable stats (hunter, beltran, lee, soriano etc) have gotten 100 mil contracts....not saying that bay will get one but he could get close enough....locking him down now will be a discount for sure...but surely he will ommand more on the open market

"The only competition that Bay will have on the market really is Guerrero, Holliday and Crawford, and it's unclear that any of them will hit the market."

I don't think I'd count Guerrero as competition for Bay. Vlad's nearing the end of his career and he'll likely be signed specifically as a DH rather than a fielder next year. Holliday, Nady and Crawford will be Bay's primary competition. That said, I don't think Holliday will hit free agency, regardless of Boras being his agent and I don't think Nady's nearly as valuable as Bay.

If Holliday is extended when the A's inevitably trade him, Bay could very well be the top free agent outfielder next year if he doesn't sign an extension.

100 mil lmao

YAY! keep guys like this in Boston

hunter wasnt 100 i think he was 90

Rich-

I'm not so sure that resigning now would be foolish.

Who's to say the economic climate doesn't get worse for next year's free agents?

I think these decisions must be very difficult for players and teams because of the economic uncertainty. No one really knows what will happen and when it will happen, whether things get better, worse, or stay the same.

I agree that he will get a very high offer even in this market. Sox want to figure out how much that is before considering guys like Pujols and Mauer.

if they give him 4 for 60 they're going to have to create another (new) uni to replace the unis from last month

Bay's agents have already come out and said that they are open to talking extension. So I doubt Bay is really looking forward to free agency, he loves Boston.

http://blogs.weei.com/alexspeier/2008/11/05/jason-bay-interested-in-remaining-a-red-sox/

Like Bay would get 4yrs/$60mm from the Red Sox. More like 4yrs/$40mm.

"The only competition that Bay will have on the market really is Guerrero, Holliday and Crawford, and it's unclear that any of them will hit the market."

The sky is blue, the grass is green, the earth is round, water is wet, what goes up must come down, and Matt Holliday will hit the market.

"if they give him 4 for 60 they're going to have to create another (new) uni to replace the unis from last month"

Ummm...what?

joba the sox sign tuff, hard nosed baseball players that want to win. not money grabbing whores that are premadonnas

glen ur rite...i forgot about the toughness of guys like drew, lugo, renteria and manny...thanks for the enlightenment

bay will never be a yankee. he doesnt have any of the characteristics of the prototype yankee player.

cause like i said bay isnt a money grabbing premaddona.

"Here is my new favorite game... look at the free agent list for the next off-season and decide who will be a Yankee. Right now Matt Holliday for sure. Maybe Bay and Ankiel. Probably Bedard."

Mets need a LF so they will likely be interested in Holliday and/or Bay. I could see the Yankees looking at Ankiel to play CF.

yankees wouldnt go after bay next offseason anyways...and if the yanks got him first the neg adjectives woulda been flying all the same from rsn

Bay would do better considering this year's free agent market. Why re-sign now even if next year is the same? Boston needs Bay. A year doesn't change that fact.

Also, haven't we learned from this year's free agency how much the Yanks will give just to pry an agent from the Sox? Was the Mark Teixeira signing so long ago? Especially since almost half of the Yankees OF are gone after this season.

Here's what the Yankees CAN do:
Sign Holliday and Bay/Ankiel (Have one play right field after Nady's gone)
Then in 2011, they can sign Crawford for CF because the Rays will certainly pick up his option.

Yes, this sounds unrealistic. But after what just happened this winter, you can't count the Yanks out from anything.

60mil/4 sounds reasonable to me but I think he could squeeze more from a Bos/NY rivalry.

his dad is a huge red sox fan, he grew up watching them, he's not going anywhere. hell,he may even give the team a slight discount

bay said he wants to play in boston. i dont see him as the kind of guy who would go to FA to make a few more bucks.

No way he signs an extension now. The market is way too depressed. Worst case is that it depresses a little more next season. But, it is more likely to be slightly better than it is right now. I think the odds are he gets a better deal if he waits a year.

I wish he would stay. I am a big Bay fan and have been for a few years, and I would love to see the Sox get him, but realistically, that just isn't going to be decided until he hits FA.

The sky is blue, the grass is green, the earth is round, water is wet, what goes up must come down, and Matt Holliday will hit the market.
_____________________________

Sometimes the sky is gray, but now I am just arguing for the sake of arguing. But amen to Holliday hitting the market... he is a Boras client and Scott Boras can smell that money already. If Bay really wants to stay in Boston he can still re-sign with them AFTER he tests free agenency. I realize Boston fans want to lock him up (as well they should), but I think he would be better off waiting. He will get more money than Boston will offer him now.

I thought Boston was going to let him go and sign Holliday?

no he wouldnt. he likes boston, wants to play for a contender and will get good money.

Posted by: glen_quagmire | January 12, 2009 at 11:33 AM

He would still be a fool. Its not like you are saying he that he will get more money now or something.

Good stuff. Let's hope they can get him to sign a nice 4/$42 type contract. We still have yet to see Bay with a complete season in Fenway park (which with the dimensions should be a pretty positive outcome)....and it would be wise to lock him up before the rest of the league gets a chance to see what Bay can do to the American League in his prime. It is very interesting to see the shift in spending now that the Yankees are done winning the January World Series. As the market crumbles for most positions, I see the Sox taking this route with players such as Youk and Papelbon. Wait for the last second as salaries diminish...or sign the players quick now...as players are also aware the money might not be avail later.

rofl @ the thought of Carl Crawford playing CF for the yankees....you thought Damon's arm was bad out there I guess you are trying to push the boundaries with that one.

Dont the Yanks have an awesome CF prospect anyway? Real funny how ever since they started signing every man and his dog its netted them 0 rings. Build from within then go grab the parts you NEED, thats how you get championships, and its what they did from 96-2001.

I think Quagmire is posting more with his heart than his brain. I agree Bay seems like a decent guy and if I were a Sox fan I would want to lock him up, too. But this is likely to be the last contract Bay signs (or at least the last big money one) and he would be unwise not to see what he would be worth next year.

There are a few things with Bay. The Sox need him as he is a good fielding OF and he produces. While the Sox have a good minor league system they don't have someone they can replace him with in house and as pointed out there won't be much in the way of free agents in 10 either and the Sox don't like bidding wars. I think 4 or 5/60 is about what the market will bear. And also as pointed out he likes the Red Sox. GO BAY!

I hope he remains on the Sox. As a Yankee fan he does not scare me.

They are willing to talk extension with Bay before the season but not Youkilis? WTF?

Russell, if Bay doesn't scare you then you are tough as nails. He is better than your present left fielder, whoever that is!

you guys are best friends huh? how many guys say things when they're on a team, then go file for free agency?
no one saw torii hunter as the selfish type, he wanted to goto texas to "help the you inner city kids" then LA offers him 90m and he signs that in a second, so lets be real

Posted by: Zack | January 12, 2009 at 12:01 PM

he could have made big money in 2005 after had great years in 04 and 05, but he signed an extension with the pirates. hes not my best friend but he has come out and said he wants to stay in boston. bay knows boston will give him the money he is worth.

theillien, they talked with Youk but they have stalled. They want to wrap him up too.

"Russell, if Bay doesn't scare you then you are tough as nails. He is better than your present left fielder, whoever that is!"

After years of Manny, yes he doesn't scare me. In fact, I don't think anyone will give Ortiz that kind of protection. Luckily those years are behind Yankee fans (and Red Sox fans). Say what u want about Damon but Bay ain't exactly that gold glove scary hitter that you're dreaming up.

bay said he wants to play in boston. i dont see him as the kind of guy who would go to FA to make a few more bucks.

Posted by: glen_quagmire | January 12, 2009 at 11:57 AM

You shouldn't believe what players say. You think if he didn't like Boston he would say it and get less money?

We have to be realistic: players are people and people want money. Any player who says differently and earns more than a million dollars for playing a game for half a year is kidding themselves. You don't know Jason Bay and I don't know Jason Bay; therefore, we can only assume he's human and want the most money he can get.

Now, he may like Boston and want to stay but if a player can get another year and a few more million from another team then that player will most likely take the better deal. He just might get this from testing free agency.

However, there is a risk with FA. Bay might want an extension if he doesn't want to take the risk but I don't see Boston having another choice at LF? Can they really best a Yankees offer to Holliday? Maybe a trade? So it looks like Bay will have leverage.

Again, 60/4 sounds reasonable but will Henry even allow that offer? I see Boston offering 13 mil instead.

I think an extension will happen but if Boston tries to low blow Bay and cite this year FA as example, then he might test next year's FA.

Although it easy to lump the Red Sox and Yankees together based on salaries, let's not forget that the Sox are not even the second highest payroll in baseball and about 80 mil. behind the Yanks.
Realistically, they could wait a year and see what Bay is worth on the FA market, but with all of the corner OF's making much less than anticipated, why not try and use that as leverage to get a deal done now. The difference in value between Bay and someone like Holliday is probably not worth the Boras headaches and the financial burden, so making a deal now, while he has only had half a season in the spot light (his value is significantly decreased by playing in such a small market for so long), makes a lot of sense.
Also, making comments criticizing players for taking money or staying someplace as a reflection as character appear counterintuitive in this forum.

zach he could have turned down the offer and accepted arbitration for those years. hence hes not all about the money.

zach u need to just get to the point. you want bay to go to free agency so the yanks can blow him away with 100mil. theo is not that stupid. he will lock him up.

"Obviously it makes sense for Boston, but as a player it doesnt. He's not a life long red sox, he hasnt been there for 10years, so thinking he loves boston and will never leave is an uneducated statement."

How is it uneducated? And how do you know so much about Jason Bay?

Bay is averaging 30 HR,100RBI at a .285 BA not very far from Tex's numbers and that was mostly in a weak lineup in Pitt.Bay puts up a big year and he'll be looking for the $$$, he'll be obligated to the union to do so

rofl @ the thought of Carl Crawford playing CF for the yankees....you thought Damon's arm was bad out there I guess you are trying to push the boundaries with that one.

Dont the Yanks have an awesome CF prospect anyway? Real funny how ever since they started signing every man and his dog its netted them 0 rings. Build from within then go grab the parts you NEED, thats how you get championships, and its what they did from 96-2001.

Posted by: PL | January 12, 2009 at 12:02 PM

Crawford has speed and he has an average arm. He is only an option if prospects fail to show any potential.

Also, I can name 20+ other teams who look to their farm for parts they NEED and they haven't had a postseason berth for decades. Prospects are hit or miss especially when you don't get top draft choices. Before the Yankees had their WS era of the 90's, they had decent draft picks. Now they're lucky to get a pick before #25.

Or would you suggest they just follow the Phillies and Rays example of 4th or 5th place for a decade and get top draft choices in return.

Can you also tell me how many guys of the 07 Boston team were homegrown? More than half their postseason roster were aquired through trade or FA, especially the major contributors: Manny, Ortiz, Beckett, Lowell, Dice-K, Schilling, Drew, etc.

It's not unrealistic to believe that players salaries will not continue to plateau, at least for the time being. There are a lot of guys wishing they had accepted arbitration or other deals they had turned down. If there is assured money on the table, players seem more likely than ever to take it, especially with the value of veterans decreasing as younger, cheaper teams continue to succeed.

Did you just see what happened to the corner OF market? I understand Bay is arguably the best of available but you cannot guarantee an above market deal.

I think there is no question Boston has the best shot at signing this guy. He likes playing there, they like him and they have plenty of money to spend.

Personally, and this is just my opinion, I'd expect something similar to JD Drews contract.

"Can you also tell me how many guys of the 07 Boston team were homegrown? More than half their postseason roster were aquired through trade or FA, especially the major contributors: Manny, Ortiz, Beckett, Lowell, Dice-K, Schilling, Drew, etc."

pedy, youk, ells, lester, delcarmen, pap, all had a role in winning that WS. beckett and lowell came from the han ram trade, so they were a product of the farm system.

zach he could have turned down the offer and accepted arbitration for those years. hence hes not all about the money.

Posted by: glen_quagmire | January 12, 2009 at 12:26 PM

Players usually cover only arb. years for a reason. Even if they don't, deals usually cover just a year or two of FA. The reason they cover arb. years is because it's their first contract and it takes pressure off them from putting up big numbers year after year. Players also don't like arbitration because an injury would lead them to getting a lot less. Since they HAVE to stay on the team during arb. years, they sign a contract for guaranteed money.

"beckett and lowell came from the han ram trade, so they were a product of the farm system."

hahaaaa

Posted by: Zack | January 12, 2009 at 12:46 PM

jokes on you. the sox won a ws from that trade

"Since they HAVE to stay on the team during arb. years, they sign a contract for guaranteed money."

Who doesn't understand this? The point was Bay accepted the stability of a long term deal over the volatility of going year to year but earning more cash.

(Some people really clog Red Sox and Yankee posts with garbage.)

Resigning him is probably a no-brainer for the Sox, but I would think after the dreadful market for outfielders this year Bay would try and wait to see if things rebound.

Even if he loves Boston he is still going to want to optimize his value.

"pedy, youk, ells, lester, delcarmen, pap, all had a role in winning that WS. beckett and lowell came from the han ram trade, so they were a product of the farm system."

That's convoluted thinking

pedy, youk, ells, lester, delcarmen, pap, all had a role in winning that WS. beckett and lowell came from the han ram trade, so they were a product of the farm system.

Posted by: glen_quagmire | January 12, 2009 at 12:45 PM

And you see them winning without Manny, Lowe (the WS MVP), Papi or Beckett? No.

You traded prospects for them. And FA is trading money for players. The point is that they weren't homegrown. The other poster specifically said that the Yanks should use parts from their system. Because the Yanks do trade for players, however they just haven't been using prospects. And when the Yankees did count on rookies, they didn't deliver. (2008 season with Melky, Kennedy, Hughes, Cano, Shelley Duncan)

"the face that you even said that statement is what made me laugh. so Arod, Nady, Swisher & Marte are all products of the Yankees farm system?"

You don't give up do you?

"And FA is trading money for players."

Hahaha no it is not. I mean if you're a yankee homer then maybe.

Otherwise, I think even the most incompetent could identify the difference between trading players for players and "trading" cash for players.

strike ur trying to make the argument that the red sox bought a WS championship. which has little truth. the facts are, that they dont win the 07 WS without the help from the farm.

Who doesn't understand this? The point was Bay accepted the stability of a long term deal over the volatility of going year to year but earning more cash.

Posted by: Kenan and Kel | January 12, 2009 at 12:52 PM

Obviously the aforementioned poster who assumes a player doesn't care about money just because he accepts a contract covering arb. years.

Look we're not debating whether Bay cares about money. I have no trouble admitting that a Yankee fan would be a superior evaluator of a players lust for cash.

Bay and his agent have expressed previous interest in signing an extension with the Red Sox, and the Sox are mutually interested. Bay is an above-average left fielder, hits for a respectable average, is a run producer and a respected member of the team. I will be very surprised if he is not signed to a three or four-year extension.

Regarding the ongoing debate about the Sox and Yankees farm systems, as I mentioned before, until the Yankees get consistent major league production from just a prospect here and there, the Red Sox system is leaps and bounds better. All you have to do is look at the prominent roles Ellsbury, Pedroia, Papelbon, Delcarmen and Youkilis, Kason Gabbard and even Buchholz (for a short period) had in 2007, and what Masterson, Lowrie and even Brandon Moss made last year. Even Michael Bowden pitched a solid game in his major league debut.

A well-balanced team and talented depth is why the Red Sox won it all in 2007, came within a game of the World Series last season and will seriously contend for another World Series championship in 2009. You can tout prospects all you want, but the bottom line is whether or not they produce at the major league level.

ideology? What the hell are you talking about

Yankeefan you just said EXACTLY what glen has been saying and yet still managed to talk down to him.

Wow...

What some people don't seem to realize is that the benefit of a deep farm system is not only to fill holes on the major league level with low-cost talent that is under team control for six years, but also to use as trade pawns for difference makers. The Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez deal for Beckett and Lowell is a prime example.

im not arguing anything im defending the red sox. strike tried to make the argument that the red sox bought there 2007 WS which is ridiculous

I think four years and $60 million is reasonable. I don't think the Sox would go six years, and I don't blame them. I don't think Bay would get six years, not even from a team content with throwing its money away like the Yankees and getting into bad long-term deals like the Yankees.

"it has nother to do with being a Yankee fan, if you think a player who will be the #2 FA will give up 20-30m to give a team hes been on for 50 games a "hometown discount" then thats your opinion"

I already said he'd settle for 5/70 like drew. If the market turns a corner you might bump that up a bit.

I will say there is precedent for good players like Bay signing during the season, thus losing out on FA dollars. It isn't about loving Boston so much he wants to give them a discount. It's the security of a deal, playing the season without pressure of a brilliant performance to ensure more money.

The same reason he declined arb and elected to sign a longer deal.

"So Yankees get criticized for trading young talent, but when red Sox do it it's teh right move?"

Can you stop trolling?

Not sure if this has been mentioned already, but if Tex just got $22.5M/year in a depressed market, I don't think Jason Bay will have any problem getting $15M/year. This is even taking into account a possible discount for the Red Sox.

Otherwise, I think even the most incompetent could identify the difference between trading players for players and "trading" cash for players.

Posted by: Kenan and Kel | January 12, 2009 at 12:58 PM

Is that even an argument? And teams have traded players for cash in the past. Who was Babe Ruth? A lot of teams give up good players because they just can't handle their contracts. Also, as I said, that isn't the point.

If you would have followed: teams can't just count on their farm system when they don't get top draft choices.

Teams that receive low picks can still win by making many trades/FA signings to stay competitive. And I cited the 07 Sox as an example. If you truly believe they could have won without those guys then good for you. The fact is, the Red Sox have one of the largest payrolls for a reason and they still won. And the Yankees have stayed competitive for years with their trades/FAs but didn't make the postseason when they counted on their farm system. Therefore, it is an error on judgment to declare that the Yankees biggest flaw is that they don't use their farm system.

The Yankees do not have a youth movement. They pretended to try it for a year, didnt make the playoffs and gave up on it IMMEDIATELY.

You're going to hear all about NY buying players because that is what they do. They have the money to do so and prefer it to player development. Evidenced by losing three picks this off season due to type a fa.

I subscribe to Theo Epstein's philosophy. If you trade away a top prospect or prospects, you do so to acquire a difference-making young veteran or a young player of equal value. The Gagne deal was an exception, and a lesson learned. Epstein didn't make the Beckett deal. He was on a brief hiatus. But I think it makes sense to trade away a prospect or two to bring back a young veteran or a young prospect who fills a need (like Saltalamacchia).

"Theo will give him 70m before the season? You have other Red Sox fans thinking a 3-4yr extension will get the job done. This will be Bay's first (and only) big contract, he's seeing free agency."

14/5 for a player like Bay is reasonable.

"that's your comeback? cant come up with anything to back up comments so you want me to leave?"

Did I say leave? I said stop trolling. You clearly recognize the difference.

Were you beaten as a child? You love the negative attention.

Kenan, I think five years is the limit. I agree that Bay is worth that. He is more durable than Drew, though Drew is a productive player when healthy.

By the way, congrats to Jim Rice for making the Hall of Fame. It is long overdue.

"14/5 is what jd drew received, and drew didnt have the top 4 biggest markets going after him"

Wait so you know who is going to pursue Jason Bay?

Zack I seriously think you should replace Tim. MLBTR could use a genius like yourself.

zach will refute anything a red sox fan. his guarantee now is that bay will reach FA.

the whole idea of this rumor is that with bad economic times players arent getting the deals they thought they could and it wouldnt be unlikely that bay signs a reasonable extension with the sox.

If I am Jason Bay, I take nothing shorter than 5 years. If people like Soriano and Tex can get 7-8 year contracts, I don't think Bay will have any problem getting 5 years.

The people thinking that he cannot get more than 3-4 years are delusional. If he does sign a deal for that short of time it is because he chooses to, not because there isn't a market out there for a 5 year deal.

Also, regardless of whether he loves Boston and the Red Sox, it would be stupid of him to not test the free agent market.

An almost exact situation was Dempster this past year. He made it abundantly clear that he really liked Chicago and the Cubs, but regardless of this, he waited to sign until he was officially eligible for free agency. By doing so, he was able to squeeze a few more million out of the Cubs.

Actually, without Papelbon as a dominant closer, Ellsbury setting the table (hitting .353 after being called up and then erupting in the World Series), Pedroia and Youkilis, the Sox would not have won the World Series, even with Beckett's superb performance, Schilling tossing more October gems and Lowell's exceptional World Series. The homegrown guys contributed a lot in the 2007 World Series.

It isn't about loving Boston so much he wants to give them a discount. It's the security of a deal, playing the season without pressure of a brilliant performance to ensure more money.

The same reason he declined arb and elected to sign a longer deal.

Posted by: Kenan and Kel | January 12, 2009 at 01:11 PM

Ah what? Of course it's about loving a team/location. Why would a player give a discount to stay on a team for another 4-6 years when they don't like the team?

Players give discount for arb. years because they have to STAY. It's not the same when you're FA eligible.

Plus, he has leverage. Who else will the Sox get? Holliday? They won't get anyone better than Drew.

He played great this year and just has to put up decent numbers for one more year to get a better contract.

He's right handed and should easily put up good numbers with the Monster.

If he actually wants to stay in Boston (we won't know that for sure until he signs an extension) then he can probably get 3-5 years 13-16 per as an extension.

I actually agree that Bay may sign a deal now. He can go in to 2009 without workign about how he performs. I have see several players go in to their final FA year and press because they feel they need a great year to get a big contract. Also Bay may just like the security of not having to go into FA.

No I dont know Jason Bay, but I did stay at a holiday in express last night.

Wow.. sorry about the horrible typ-os. Jeez.. embarassing.. I guess I need to stay at a Radison and not a holiday inn express...

"zach he could have turned down the offer and accepted arbitration for those years. hence hes not all about the money."

i wouldnt call arbitration "big money." he took the guaranteed 19m, the smart move.


Zach, you just proved why Bay WOULD sign now as opposed to waiting. $60M guaranteed right now is a whole lot of money to turn down. Sometimes players want the security they can receive now as opposed to playing out a full season where he could under perform, get hurt, or go into an even worse market. You think if the Sox offered him $15M per year over 4 years he wouldn't consider taking it because he might be able to get an extra year or a few more mill per season? Sometimes the positives of the smaller offer now are enough to forgo the uncertainty of free agency and the contract year that goes with it.

The Red Sox will begin contract extension negotiations, and just when it seems they have a deal in place, the Yankees will swoop in with a 7 year 150 million dollar offer. Will it be legal? No, but they are the Yankees, and no one will question it.

Just kidding but I bet there will be serious talks between the two parties, but unless Boston gives some of that Teixeira money to Bay I would think he will test the free agent waters. Then again maybe he will just sign a 4/60 or 5/75 type deal and stay. We will see

Oh and a condition of the contract is that Massachusets will officialy change its nickname from "The Bay State" to "The Jason Bay State"

The question for Bay (and his Agent who will drive the decision) is whether or not the market will rebound by next offseason, stay the same or get worse.

I don't know who Bays agent is but a lot of agents made poor choices this year when they directed their clients to turn down arbitration.

Me not being a risk-taker, I go with the extension now versus worrying about the economic situation getting worse and ending up on the wrong end of things.

Remember, salaries are already down and the gates haven't even opened yet. With attendance likely to suffer a lot this year owners (IMO) will be even more frugal next offseason.

Right now owners are being frugal due to uncertainty but next year they will be able to be frugal based on clear cut stats that their numbers were down.

Whether or not owners truly feel the crunch in their own pockets is irrelevant. If they take even a small hit at the turnstyles they will be able to justify cutting back on offers a little more next year too.

yankeefan4life79: was 69 taken? couldn't you slip a "z" in your post name?
This forum was set up to discuss the possibility of Jason Bay resigning with the Red Sox, and somehow, it turned into an ethics debate on loyalty. I am thoroughly enjoying this, though.

"even if Bay has a down year, his age & history will get him paid"

tell that to varitek

This reminds me of oceans 12.. when George Clooney had his Yankees hat and Scott Caan had the Red Sox hat.. what a great scene. Cubs/Cardinals or Dodgers/Giants hats just wouldn't have done it. :-}

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