Sox/Bay talking extension

[Javier Lopez]

A source told the Boston Globe that the Red Sox plan to begin contract extension talks soon with outfielder Jason Bay.

Bay is in the last year of a contract that is paying him a $7.5 million base salary. He's in line for a significant pay raise, to say the least. The 30-year-old is batting .278/.387/.570 this season with 19 home runs and 69 RBI in 263 at-bats. Bay has said he wants to stay in Boston, but these kind of talks usually take a while anyway. We'll keep you posted. Jun. 28 - 11:11 am et

 

Rotoworld. Man all you guys need to now is DFA josh beckett, send Lester to AAA and sign me again!!!

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

About time.

[Cocos Disciples]

They haven't started talking yet, and I'd be surprised if anything got done before the end of the season.

[Dojji]

It's vitally important to keep this guy in Boston. Get'r'done. 5 of 6 years at $18M/year would not be overpaying and he's the type of player who is still likely to be productive at the end of such a contract unless his health seriously deteriorates.

[Cocos Disciples]

Olney predicts 60/4 or 75/5. If that's it, that's a no brainer for the Sox.

[Dutchy]

They haven't started talking yet' date=' and I'd be surprised if anything got done before the end of the season.[/quote']

 

This sounds like prior to previous reports, they could get something done before the end of the season.

[Dojji]

Olney predicts 60/4 or 75/5. If that's it' date=' that's a no brainer for the Sox.[/quote']

 

Olney is a SOx FO mouthpiece. But yeah, if you can get him for 4-5 years at $15M per, no brainer and probably a steal. At the end of the contract he'll be 36 and may have a few more good years left. Sure beats the Yankee way of signing a guy deep into their dotage. Yankees gotta be loving that A-Rod contract for example.

[Dutchy]

I'll play devil's advocate. Is anyone concerned that he's play as well if he's no longer in a contract year, or that perhaps contract discussions could go bad and become a distraction?

[Dojji]

Look at what Bay did for Pittsburgh, the ultimate low-pressure situation. I don't think we're in any great danger of the guy falling off. If anything, he's played better in the high pressure situations.

[Dutchy]

Look at what Bay did for Pittsburgh' date=' the ultimate low-pressure situation. I don't think we're in any great danger of the guy falling off. If anything, he's played better in the high pressure situations.[/quote']

 

That's what I mean, a contract year is a high pressure situation. When you have a 4-5 year extension, there isn't much urgency.

[example1]

That's what I mean' date=' a contract year is a high pressure situation. When you have a 4-5 year extension, there isn't much urgency.[/quote']

 

There is always urgency in Boston, often too much. I don't have any concerns that bay is going to suddenly fall off the table. There's never a guarantee that a player will continue producing, but the Sox don't seem to have a whole lot of other options for that middle of the order bat.

[Dutchy]

There is always urgency in Boston' date=' often too much. I don't have any concerns that bay is going to suddenly fall off the table. There's never a guarantee that a player will continue producing, but the Sox don't seem to have a whole lot of other options for that middle of the order bat.[/quote']

 

Like I said, I'm just trying to play devil's advocate. I like that we're talking extension, but everyone agreeing doesn't make for very good discussion.

[jacksonianmarch]

Bay is gonna get a LOT more than 4/60 on the open market. A LOT more

[Cocos Disciples]

I agree.

[Dutchy]

Bay is gonna get a LOT more than 4/60 on the open market. A LOT more

 

Hence why we're talking to him before he gets to the open market.

[Dojji]

Hence why all of us were surprised at Gammons quoting 15M/year in these negotiations.

[jacksonianmarch]

Hence why we're talking to him before he gets to the open market.

 

its not like the sox have a long head start. He's a free agent in 4 months and 3 days (Nov 1)

[Dutchy]

its not like the sox have a long head start. He's a free agent in 4 months and 3 days (Nov 1)

 

Are you trying to say you don't think the Red Sox will be able to sign him at a discounted price, or are you just playing devil's advocate? I think it's safe to say that Jason Bay REALLY likes it in Boston.

[Cocos Disciples]

I wouldn't count on a discount.

[Dutchy]

I wouldn't count on a discount.

 

Whether or not we get a discount has to do with how much he's worth in the first place. I'd say he's worth at least $20 million a year on the open market and he could probably get a five year contract. If we could sign him for less than 5/$100 million I'd consider that a discount.

[Dojji]

No way then! Let's not block Josh Reddick! It'll dilute the value of Baldelli's signing! Drew might need to move to LF as he ages!!!

 

...

 

...

 

This is an absolute no-brainer and I'd consider $20M/year a fair and reasonable price for what Bay provides.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think you can expect a 5/90-100 or a 6/110-120. Counting on a home town discount is a good way to get your heart broken

[Dutchy]

I think you can expect a 5/90-100 or a 6/110-120. Counting on a home town discount is a good way to get your heart broken

 

My heart wouldn't be broken if he signed for 5/90. I think that's a discount. But I bet he'd sign for less to stay with the Red Sox.

[Spudboy]

I think you can expect a 5/90-100 or a 6/110-120. Counting on a home town discount is a good way to get your heart broken

 

I say 5/85 - 5/90. It all depends on what the whore Yankee front office is willing to spend. That is THE market. I don't see the Sox paying anyone of Bay's caliber $20. mil / year.

I don't think the Sox would go five years if they didn't have to. But that will be determined by the Yankees.

[jacksonianmarch]

the guys who signed for cheap with the sox all had a pretty long time until free agency. So they took the guaranteed money rather than gambling. Bay doesnt have anything to gamble. It is stupid for him to negotiate and take a discount

[Dutchy]

the guys who signed for cheap with the sox all had a pretty long time until free agency. So they took the guaranteed money rather than gambling. Bay doesnt have anything to gamble. It is stupid for him to negotiate and take a discount

 

Not everything is about money. Bay legitimately loves playing in Boston. There are plenty of Red Sox who have taken home town discounts over the last few years.

[jacksonianmarch]

No, not everything is about money. That being said, the fact that he hasnt signed already should tell you how much he loves Boston.

[a700hitter]

Not everything is about money. Bay legitimately loves playing in Boston. There are plenty of Red Sox who have taken home town discounts over the last few years.

It's all about money.

[Dutchy]

No' date=' not everything is about money. That being said, the fact that he hasnt signed already should tell you how much he loves Boston.[/quote']

 

That doesn't make any sense. Does that mean Teixeira doesn't actually like the Yankees because he didn't sign with them as soon as possible?

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Agree with jacko (holy s***), but I can't help but worry that his 2009 performance is the result of that contract year business.