| 02 October 2009
Alex Speier of WEEI.com is the latest writer to chime in about Jason Bay and his upcoming contract negotiations. Here are some of the intersting highlights:
Jason Bay admits that he had no idea what to expect from his first time in a free-agent walk year. Now in the final season of a four-year, $18.25 million deal he signed while with the Pirates, he was curious whether he might start viewing his performance through the lens of dollars and cents rather than the state of his team. He wondered whether slumps might be more challenging, whether the element of the unknown would affect his on-field performance.
As has been the case with so many other uncertainties in his time with the Sox, Bay resolved those questions to his satisfaction. Because he is on a team where winning is not just an expectation but a mandate, it became easy for him to set aside those sorts of personal considerations.
"I have actually been pleasantly surprised the entire year," said Bay. "I will be the first to admit it, I've said it before, I didn't really know how I would react. Would it be the same or would it be different, being in my first contract year, so to speak.
"To be honest with you, when things were going well I didn't think I was going to break the bank and when things got real bad I wasn't thinking I've ruined my season by any means. I am pretty good at taking things for what it is everyday and I never, even at this point, I am not thinking with every RBI I get I am adding an extra X amount . . . I don't buy into that stuff."
Bottom Line: Bay is approaching the 120 RBI mark and already has a career high 36 home runs. His strikeouts are down, his walks and stolen bases are up and his defense has improved. He'll contend with Kevin Youkilis, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jon Lester for team MVP and a strong October could make it a lock.
So how much are you willing to pay him to stay in Boston?
Speier suggests something like 4-5 years and at least $15M per. Personally, I think that will be the starting point of the negotiations with the Yankees and Angels, among others ready and willing to go higher.
Yankees: With Johnny Damon ($13 million), Hideki Matsui ($13 million) and Xavier Nady ($6.5 million) all eligible for free agency this winter, the Yankees have more than $30 million in outfield/D.H. payroll that will be peeled away this offseason. Even if New York is committed to keeping a spot for top outfield prospect Austin Jackson, New York could sign Bay and, when the time comes, dump Melky Cabrera to make room for its potential centerfielder of the future. Resources, certainly, aren't the issue for the potential signing of Bay, who does have the added value of a demonstrated ability to succeed while playing in the A.L. East.
Angels: Vladimir Guerrero ($15 million salary in '09), Bobby Abreu ($5m), John Lackey ($10m), Kelvim Escobar ($10m) and Chone Figgins ($5.775) will all be coming off the books. If either Abreu or Guerrero departs, the team would have a need to add an impact bat to the lineup.
Mets: With Billy Wagner ($10 million) out the door and Carlos Delgado ($12 million) likely close behind him, the Mets have a need for a bat and some money to spend. Bay has demonstrated that he is capable of handling life in a big market, no small consideration to either of the New York teams as they look to fill needs, and there is no question that New York will be looking for a middle-of-the-order hitter.
So how high are you willing to go to keep JAYBAY? Vote below.
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