MLB - Sports Rumors

Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:45 am EST

Jason Bay getting lots of free-agency attention

By Mark J. Miller

“JasonMidnight last night was the moment that the 171 free agents currently on the market can start negotiating with any team they want and it appears that former Boston Red Sox slugger Jason Bay(notes) might be the most popular guy out there right now, according to the Boston Herald.

Bay apparently has an "unbelievable" number of teams making calls for him, says his (totally unbiased) agent. Bay, Matt Holliday(notes), and John Lackey(notes) will be the three biggest free agents on the market this off-season but Bay seems to be the most accessible of the three to more clubs.

Bay reportedly wants a five-year deal worth $17 million annually and supposedly declined a four-year, $60 million proposal on the table from the Red Sox. Now he's waiting to see what kind of dollars and years will be offered by such clubs as the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Seattle Mariners.

And, of course, the Red Sox will keep a watchful eye over the proceedings and try to get back in at an opportune moment.

Source: Boston HeraldNew Window

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100 Comments

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  1. Vadim
    1. Posted by Vadim Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:00 am EST

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    giants would be smart if the got xavier nady, cheap option for a 300 hitter and has some power. Screw bay, he doesnt hit for average.
  2. str A's hooter
    2. Posted by str A's hooter Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:03 am EST

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    Can't believe it! My three favorite players: Bay, Swisher, and Lincecum, are on top of the news, today!
    I've watched Bay play since he played legion at Trail, and followed his career through North Idaho College, Gonzaga, Pirates and Boston. I hope he stays with the Sox. Sox fans appreciate how he made them forget that other left fielder, what's his name.
  3. joecas7
    3. Posted by joecas7 Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:19 am EST

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    These players are not worth the asking prices. \
    Bay is one of my favorites but he doesn't hit for average, above average defender.
    Holliday is still young but his defensive skills are not always there.
    Nady still has potential and will be a bargain.
  4. DaBull
    4. Posted by DaBull Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:31 am EST

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    Yankees need to grab him, dump the other Free Agents.....
  5. Mark
    5. Posted by Mark Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:45 am EST

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    5 years, $17mln per? You can have him.
  6. Dan m
    6. Posted by Dan m Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:58 am EST

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    next season either in pinstripes or back in boston period
  7. gravy9
    7. Posted by gravy9 Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:00 am EST

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    Why do the Yankees seem to have no interest in Nady?
  8. Christine
    8. Posted by Christine Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:10 am EST

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    perfect storm for him with....he can lock down a big contract. Thats a LOT he is looking for
  9. Christine
    9. Posted by Christine Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:13 am EST

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    wow John Henry is showing a lot of confidence in the Sox for next season
  10. Mark
    10. Posted by Mark Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:13 am EST

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    gravy, because Nady is garbage. Sorry, bud.
  11. str A's hooter
    11. Posted by str A's hooter Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:35 am EST

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    John Henry is afraid to go that extra year. That Boras guy, is a hard bargainer. Guys like Zito, Bradley, and the likes, make long term contracts passe.
    Hope Bay, if he really doesn't want to play for the Mariners in the Northwest from where he's from, bends a little and come to terms with Henry.
  12. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    12. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:38 am EST

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    morning christine, mark, and str a's - I still think Sox should re-sign Bay.
  13. philsphanwest
    13. Posted by philsphanwest Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:41 am EST

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    Wilf #8: I could be wrong, but I think the Red Sox might be biting the bullet this year in order to save their powder for next year, when a bunch of salary comes off the books and there's a treasure trove of marquee FAs available... (Josh Beckett, Cliff Lee, Brandon Webb, Roy Halladay, and 6 All-Star position players)... That doesn't bode well for next season necessarily, and I could of course by wrong, but I get the sense that's what the Sox are doing. If the Sox were ever serious about re-signing Jason Bay, I have no idea why they were so aggressive in trading for Jeremy Hermida.
  14. Christine
    14. Posted by Christine Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:43 am EST

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    they def should try and resign him....they are being extra cheap right now
  15. philsphanwest
    15. Posted by philsphanwest Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:49 am EST

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    joecas7 #3: According to Fangraphs, Matt Holliday ranks 17th among the 63 MLB OFers who played in a minimum of 108 games (i.e. 2/3 of the season) in 2009 in fielding; whereas Jason Bay ranks 55th. I think Bay was made to look less bad in the field because of the Green Monster, and Holliday made to look worse by the gaff in Game 2 of the NLDS.
  16. Mark
    16. Posted by Mark Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:49 am EST

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    #13 - ppw - Agreed. Here's my question. Assuming talks stall and nothing comes to fruition between Mauer and Minny (which I sincerely hope he stays with the Twins) when does he become available in the trade market? He is a FA after 2010, isn't he?
  17. str A's hooter
    17. Posted by str A's hooter Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:51 am EST

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    Talk about being cheap, the Yanks can't bring back both Damon and Matsui, the guys who won the World Series for them! That's cheap!
  18. joecas7
    18. Posted by joecas7 Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:53 am EST

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    I agree with you PFW. Holliday is perfect in St louis.
    Any LF in Fenway will have an advantage.
  19. joecas7
    19. Posted by joecas7 Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:54 am EST

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    # 10 Nady is not garbage, can you objectify that comment?
    Philsfan west....don't help him!
  20. Livin' the Vegas Life
    20. Posted by Livin' the Vegas Life Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:56 am EST

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    The Rangers need a big bat. Why not go after Jason Bay? He is also a cacaple outfielder.
  21. Christine
    21. Posted by Christine Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:59 am EST

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    Its been said already on a few occasions that they are preparing for a "rebuilding" year. Thats fine with me. I can take a yr off and cheer for the Nats. I would hate to see them lose a player like Bay tho...to offer him the 5th yr at 15m wouldnt have been such a big ($$) thing
  22. Daniel V
    22. Posted by Daniel V Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:01 am EST

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    5 years at $17 million per is too much for the Sox I think as far as how they value Bay. I don't even think it's the $17 million per as much as the guaranteed years. They could play the waiting game for a little bit, see what other teams are talking about offering, but they can't wait too long. Someone will surely make him a solid offer and soon. The wild card for the Sox is the 3 top OF prospects they have in Reddick, Kalish, and Westmoreland. Signing a Jermaine Dye for 1-2 years at less guaranteed $$ could be the safer play while those 3 get more seasoning. On top of that, you have to wonder just how much value Theo is putting in Hermedia, and him having a shot at being the everyday LF next season. Reddick is the most ready of the 3 young guys, and he could take over as the 4th OF. Like I've mentioned before on here, the Sox entire offseason depends on Bay resigning, or them even making a legit run at Matt Holliday. Anything else they do or don't do will depend on who they decide will be there LF next season.
  23. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    23. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:04 am EST

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    Str A - Yankee can bring back Damon and Matsiu...it was never a question if they can...the question is do they want to bring them back
  24. joecas7
    24. Posted by joecas7 Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:06 am EST

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    17 why can't they? They both have to agree to 1 yr deals with incentives of course because of their ages, 35,36. The yanks have historically given these "veteran" contracts to the likes of Paul O'Neil, Cone, Tino etc. I see Matsui being offered in the N-hood of 7-9 million, 1 yr with incentives and Damon 1 yr with an option for second maybe 8-10 million because he can still play the OF to some degree. If they don't sign these guys then they have to replace them with better players out there and I don't see they paying up for the likes of Holliday or even Bay. Who else is out there? Their prospects are still "prospects in Austin Jackson.

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