Looks go way of Bay

Sox aren’t the only team eyeing him

December 08, 2009|Nick Cafardo

INDIANAPOLIS - There’s a market for free agent Jason Bay and it’s developing quickly, about as quickly as the trade market for Toronto’s Roy Halladay.

Those seemed to be the developing stories as the first day of baseball’s winter meetings concluded yesterday.

Will there be deals immediately? Only Bay and his agent Joe Urbon and the Blue Jays and Halladay, who has a no-trade clause, know for sure.

If Bay is Boston’s first priority, then Urbon, who is talking to the Red Sox, Angels, and Mariners, indicated the Sox will have to go beyond their initial four-year, $60 million offer. Although it appears Boston will top that, the competition should be fierce from the Angels, who lost third baseman Chone Figgins to the Mariners, and the Mariners, who are looking to add a righthanded-hitting left fielder. If the Cardinals’ talks with Matt Holliday blow up, St. Louis could enter the Bay mix. The Braves, Giants, and Mets could use Bay, as could the Yankees.

Asked whether Bay remains a priority, Sox general manager Theo Epstein said, “Yeah, he’s definitely one of our priorities, certainly. I’m sure it’s something we’ll be spending time on here at the meetings.’’

With obvious competition and Urbon here trying to work out a deal, Epstein couldn’t gauge whether a decision on Bay would happen before the meetings end Thursday. Epstein would not say if he was meeting with Urbon last night. “Would prefer not as then it’s Tweeted and then Tweeted when he’s seen in the lobby,’’ he said. “It’s really kind of meaningless. You can just let it play out.’’

While Boston’s signing of shortstop Marco Scutaro was seen as a vital piece, Bay appears to be next in line in that regard. If not, Epstein believes he has other options, certainly the Scott Boras-represented Holliday or through a trade. But righthanded-hitting outfielders aren’t easy to come by. The most mentioned name is Josh Willingham, whom the Nationals claim won’t be dealt. The Sox think Willingham and lefthanded-hitting Jeremy Hermida would make a good platoon, but that doesn’t seem to be the preferred route.

Sox manager Terry Francona said signing Bay is the preference.

“Well, that and those 37 home runs,’’ Francona said. “That’s why other teams really want him, too. You know, he plays all the time. Really, an understated demeanor. I think he’s very aware of what’s going on, but he doesn’t let it bother him. He’s even-keeled and obviously very likable. That’s why he’s going to get a big contract.’’

Three weeks ago Angels owner Arte Moreno said the team would not pursue Holliday but would have interest in Bay.