Heyman On Bay, Papelbon, Manny, Braves

The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman…

• Red Sox GM Theo Epstein says he’s had "casual conversations" about a contract extension with Jason Bay.  We learned a few days ago that Bay is open to an extension but doesn’t consider it the "end-all, be-all."
• Jonathan Papelbon says he’s a "gambling man," and he prefers to go year-to-year rather than sign long-term.  Boston’s offer was far off his expectations, and he wants to set the market for closers.  Papelbon is under team control through 2011, and will earn $6.25MM in his first arb year.
• Heyman says there’s "some indication Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is about to become involved in the Manny Ramirez negotiations."  Maybe that’ll get things moving.
• Heyman says the Braves will look at Garret Anderson, Jim Edmonds, and Luis Gonzalez, though ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick has indicated the Braves aren’t interested in the veteran free agents.
• The Orioles’ acquisition of Felix Pie cost Edmonds a chance to sign with the team.