Bay has some things to say

“Would I have gone back [to Boston]? Yeah, I think so,’’ he said. “But I’d be back on my terms. During the season I was part of the Red Sox, and once the offseason came I didn’t consider myself part of the Red Sox. We kept in dialogue and they were a team on my list. I felt at that point I had a little more power, or at least it was going to be my decision what my direction was.

“I had teams on the list and I had my pluses and minuses, and Boston had its pluses because I’d been there and I’d understood how to play there.’’

In the end it was about two sides who each would not budge from what they believed.

Team physician Thomas Gill felt the Sox needed to protect themselves, much like they had regarding J.D Drew’s shoulder and John Lackey’s elbow. The Sox were willing to give Bay three guaranteed years and a fourth with medical protection language. Gill and the Sox’ medical team saw red flags; those Bay got second and third opinions from did not. The Mets weren’t bothered by the medical issues and signed Bay, much as they had done five years before with Pedro Martinez.

“I could see a thousand medical people and they might all agree on the same thing, but if the guy there [Gill] doesn’t see it that way, that’s their prerogative,’’ Bay said. “Things got out, and it was painted as me having sour grapes. By no means do I want to portray it that way. But what bothered me is now the perception was I was damaged goods, even though three doctors determined I wasn’t.

“I’m not saying they’re right or wrong, but I would hope others would take that into consideration.’’