Jason Bay interested in remaining a Red Sox
Posted by Alex Speier
Jason Bay’s agents suggested that their client would be receptive to discussions of a long-term deal to remain in Boston beyond the 2009 season. Bay is due a salary of $7.5 million in 2009, the fourth and final year of an $18.25 million deal he inked with the Pirates prior to the 2006 season.
Bay, who turned 30 in September, excelled after arriving in Boston, hitting .293 with a .370 OBP and .897 OPS while hitting nine homers and driving in 37. He also hit .341 with three homers, nine RBIs and a 1.105 OPS in his first playoff experience.
“It’s a situation where he’s loving Boston. It’s a great club and a great organization,” said Nez Balelo of Creative Artists Agency. “He’s a quality player, and I’m sure (the Red Sox) recognize that. Whatever they want to do, I’m sure that we’re all ears.”
According to Balelo and fellow CAA agent Joe Urbon, the Sox have not yet been in contact about a long-term deal.
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Get Jason Bay signed long term.
He’s a great addition, who will be even better playing an entire season in Boston.
RodfromCranston
5 Nov 08 at 11:59 am
Bay is probably the best player you haven’t heard much about. He was stuck in that Hell hole called the Pittsburgh Pirate and felt pressure to carry the team. With Boston he can just be another very good player among a team of stars. If they keep him I think he will have a monster year in 2009.
R.J.
5 Nov 08 at 2:23 pm
I love JayBay - he’s my favorite kind of player: quietly competent. Like Mike Lowell.
PhiskPhan
5 Nov 08 at 3:15 pm
Me too! JayBay is a rock star. . .I can’t wait til spring to get this party started up again. From what I’ve heard, the boys LOVE him and he’s been a huge calming influence in the club house.
Rookie79
5 Nov 08 at 3:51 pm
I’m very happy to have Bay play in Boston, and good riddance to that jackass Manny.
bosoxer
5 Nov 08 at 3:53 pm
Everyday Bay works for me. Sign him up
Gammiek
6 Nov 08 at 4:51 am
I too would like to see jason stay in Boston long term. He fits the mold of great Red Sox players. He is far and away better than Manny ever dreamed of. He has the WHOLE package and is a TEAM player.
NH PAUL
6 Nov 08 at 6:18 am
Many have forgotten or don’t even realize that he started his career with the Mets. He was there for only a short time, but still created quite a buzz for himself. It’s easy to fly under the radar toiling in that Mecca of Mediocrity known as Pittsburgh–and Bay is easy to overlook because he is understated and humble in the first place. But his days of being underrated are over. He will thrive in Boston and become a much-loved favorite if given the opportunity. He brings class and respect to the game as a human as well as a player.
Dawesome
6 Nov 08 at 1:25 pm
This is a guy that started great. Excellent defense and he looked like a solid hitter. But with the game on the line in the playoffs, he wasn’t the guy I wanted to see coming up. There are some holes in his swing that worry me, so why commit to a long term deal when you don’t have to?
Last year, we the fans practically forced the Sox to sign Mike Lowell long term. Now a year into a 3 year deal we’re ready to eat some of his contract to unload him so we can sign Texiera? Lowell will be hard to move and Youk is the most important guy in the lineup, so odds are we’re still looking for a legit #4 so Youk can be the all purpose hitter that makes him so valuable.
I don’t want Manny back (he’s dead to me) but I do think we need a presence beyond what Bay can bring. If you eliminate 1st, 3rd and DH, what other spot on the field get’s you that guy?
And don’t say right. Love him or hate him, JD’s contract makes him unmoveable for at least another year or two. And when he does play, he’s a much better player than Bay’s ever shown.
In my opinion, there aren’t many spots you can upgrade this lineup. Obviouslly catcher, but you’re not getting Mauer so the upgrade’s not huge. Shortstop is a value deal for the Sox, and if you want to pay the big bucks for superstars, you need some value guy’s in the mix too. You’re set at first and second, have a huge upside in center and are locked in at 3rd and right.
Don’t get too attached to Bay if Theo thinks the lineup needs an upgrade.
W.P.
6 Nov 08 at 7:33 pm
“Love him or hate him, JD’s contract makes him unmoveable for at least another year or two. And when he does play, he’s a much better player than Bay’s ever shown.”
Are you out of your tiny mind? The ONLY thing JD does better than Jason Bay is run.
Redcee
6 Nov 08 at 8:45 pm
“The ONLY thing JD does better than Jason Bay is run.” - I think Bay runs better than Drew. SB’s last four years: Bay [21, 11, 4 (bum knee all year), 10]. Drew [1, 2, 4, 4]. Also, JayBay has only been caught stealing 4 times in the last 4 years, going 21 for 22 in 2005! Both are solid players, but I’d have to give JayBay the edge on baserunning.
jbjeep3
8 Nov 08 at 12:46 pm
Here’s a new name for “Everyday” Jason Bay….”EveryYEAR” Jason Bay…If we are paying outrageous money to get rid of players like Edgar “Rent-A-Wreck” and “Money” Ramirez, then this is a no brainer..Jason welocme for the rest of your career….
Ron Menard
14 Nov 08 at 4:16 am