Good Thing The Sox Didn't Resign That Bay Guy

Former Red Sox left fielder Jason Bay continues to struggle in New York, and the Mets sat down their prized free agent Thursday night as they were shut out by the Dodgers for their seventh loss in the eighth game of their disastrous 11-game road trip. Bay is batting .169 in July and has six home runs on the season.

I knew it was a mistake for him to go to the Mets, but I didn't think he would be this bad. Bay made a huge mistake not staying with the Sox. Fenway inflated his numbers, and now we are starting to see that Bay is not nearly as good as advertised. Then again, maybe it's just the curse of playing for the Mets. I would take less money and play for someone else instead of playing biggest choke job franchise in all of sports.

Manny Returns to Boston

For the first time in ten years, famed slugger, Manny Ramirez will step in the batters box at Fenway Park, as a visitor. Manny has not opposed the Red Sox since 2000 when he was a member of the Indians. In between now and then, Man-Ram enjoyed seven and a half seasons in Boston, where he averaged 36 homeruns and 126 RBI, earning a trip to the all-star game each year. The fruits of his labor paid off in 2004 when he led the Red Sox to their first World Series in 86 years. In four games against the Cardinals, Manny batted .412, with a homerun, and 4 rbi. For his efforts he was rewarded world series most valuable player.
In 2007, Ramirez carried the Sox into the World Series where they won a second championship in three years. He hit one of his most memorable homeruns in a Boston uniform off superstar closer, Francisco (K-rod) Rodriguez to clinch the ALDS against the Angels.

After making upwards of $20 million each year, Manny’s salary began to decrease and he was looking for a new contract, a contract that the Red Sox management was not interested in doling out to the 35 year-old slugger. After reports that Manny had “mailed it in” and caused an infamous confrontation with a Red Sox traveling secretary, the team had had enough of Manny’s antics and traded him to Los Angeles in a 3-team deal that involved the Pirates and most notably, left fielder Jason Bay.

Although baseball analysts will argue that Bay was not only an adequate replacement statistically, but also came at a much cheaper rate, and no excess baggage. As for the Sox fans who felt betrayed by Manny’s childish actions in his final months here, they were able to embrace Bay for what he was, a good outfielder and a good hitter, with the personality of a dead moth.
For the real Sox fans out there, who fell in love in the spring of 2001 when Manny made his first appearance in a Red Sox uniform I hope you can overlook a speed bump in the career of one of the best right handed hitters to ever play in Fenway. The truth is, the Red Sox are struggling to find another left fielder, despite Bay’s production, he never seemed to gel with the team nor did he have the extraverted personality that thrives in a media hotbed like Boston.

Regardless of what the pink hat populous believes in regards to Manny, you know the truth. You know that he was one of the hardest working players to put on a uniform. You know his style of play, his personality, and his smile, yes his smile, will be missed dearly when he decides to call it quits. I hope you will stand with me and cheer one of the greatest Red Sox of all time tonight.

P.S. Rookie Felix Doubront takes the mound tonight for the Red Sox. All signs point toward Manny putting a souvenir in the monster

Red Sox Fans And Journalists Need To Fucking Relax

Here it is plain and simple with the first week of the season under the belt it seems more now than ever the Red Sox are being put on a pussy pedestal and every fan is that 40 year old virgin. I love the culture of the beloved Sox and the passion that follows it, but this is getting fucking ridiculous. Guys, get off of Ortiz's nuts and let the dude rake, its the first week of the season. Let him play a month and get his reps in before we evaluate every single aspect of his game. I understand there are concerns, like how he's getting challenged with fastballs in his happy zone and doing minimal damage...but hes the same guy who tore up the second half and led in almost every offensive category in the second half. All I am saying is that I see all these things too, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't give the dude a chance, seriously this coming the first week in the season is a little much.

Alright, its plain to see that the pen is a problem. Oki is a year older, Pap has become human again after last years blunder in the post season, and Manny Delcarmen, well he just plain sucks...tell me how he was throwing 95+ and is not throwing 90 if hes lucky. Folks we make a lot of fuss over our offense and to be honest and optimistic for once, we have a very solid lineup when they perform to the levels that they are capable of. I know it sucks the era of Manny and Bay have come and gone, but lets stay with the excitement that this team can bring to us. They will be playing a whole different brand of baseball centered on exciting defensive plays and manufactured runs. This team has a lot of talent and a week through the season there is no need to panic over the fact shit hasn't been flawless.

The best has yet to come for our Sox I promise you all that!

Jason Bay Talks About Why He Left

Jason Bay finally opened up about what happened between the Red Sox and him that eventually made him sign with the Mets. Gammons has reported a couple days ago that the Sox did not sign Bay to a long term deal, because they had medical reports that his knees and shoulder were wearing out. Bay elaborated on this a little more saying that the Sox offered him a 4 year deal during the season. He was about to sign the deal, but then the Sox got these medical reports back and sent him another offer that was only 2 years, but could be 4 as long as he was healthy (part of the deal is that he would have to have knee surgery during the 2009 offseason). Bay went out and got a 2nd opinion, and that report gave him a clean bill of health. The Sox did not change their offer until the offseason, but even then it was no where close to what Bay wanted.

So, in the end he signed with the Mets. He is bitter because he doesn't think he has any medical problems at all. It is really hard to say whether or not the Sox were just low balling him, but I really think the Sox were just trying to watch their own back, and trust their medical staff. I guess we will just have to wait and see...

The Real Reason The Sox Didn't Want Jason Bay

I had reported in the past that there were teams out there that were worried about Jason Bay's health long term. Well Peter Gammons came out and reported today that the Red Sox and Jason Bay agreed to a four-year, $60MM pact in July, before an MRI raised concerns about both of his knees. As a result, Boston reduced their offer from four years to two years.

For one thing it shows us how little we actually know. There are a lot of times that we jump all over a GM for doing something, even though we probably know at most 50% of what is going on.

I was one of the people who really wanted Bay back. Did this change my opinion? Of course, Boston has enough injury problems in the outfield with J.D. Glass, we don't need another one.

Why do I bring this all up? Well, for one I wanted to ease Red Sox fans minds that the Sox had a reason for what they did this offseason. The other reason is for what Gammons has been getting at for years...Gammons suggests that this a perfect example of why an independent medical staff should be in place in the MLB.

These training staff get very close to the players. They know releasing information (like Bay and his 2 bad knees) can really change how much a player is worth. Obviously, if Bay can he will try to hold that information back as much as possible, and you would just have to think that there needs to be an independent doctor that does these tests on these players, because there are millions of dollars at stake for these franchises...

Breaking News: Mets Sign Jason Bay

"Jason Bay has decided to join the Mets, according to a report on WFAN, pending the results of a physical exam.

WFAN's Mike Francesca just reported that the Mets will have an announcement early next week that they've agreed to a contract with Bay, one of the top free agent hitters on the market. The deal will become official if Bay passes the physical, Francesa said.

The Mets have a four-year offer out to Bay worth about $65 million (nydailynews)."

I have to admit I am a little disappointed. It sounded like Bay didn't want to go to the Mets, and that he had even got back in contact with the Red Sox. Anyways, if he was to go anywhere I am glad it is in the NL (basically I am just happy it is not the Yankees). You will now hear a bunch of rumors about Holliday, but I very much doubt he will end up in a Sox uniform.

Boston is still going to add another bat, because right now I am not overly pumped about their lineup.

Ellsbury
Pedroia
Youk
V-Mart
Ortiz
Lowell (?)
Drew
Cameron
Scutaro

Red Sox To Still Land Jason Bay?

"It has been a busy offseason for the Boston Red Sox, who have landed John Lackey, Marco Scutaro and Mike Cameron via free agency and seemed to have a deal in place for Mike Lowell before that trade fell apart. Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald writes today that the Red Sox may not be done dealing. While it remains unlikely, a deal for Jason Bay or Matt Holliday "could end up falling into the Red Sox' laps."

Silverman says that neither the Yankees nor the Red Sox would declare they are done dealing while Bay or Holliday remain on the market (ESPN)."

There have been a bunch of articles around the internet talking about how the Sox are "laying in the weeds" with Jason Bay still out there. Don't get me wrong, I don't think he is coming back anymore, but the theory does make some sense. There are not a lot of teams looking at Bay right now. Bay has somewhat shown he really doesn't have much interest in joining the Mets (who can blame him?), and the Sox are still looking to add a power bat. Here are 2 what if scenarios that could lead to Bay coming back.

1. The Sox decide that Cameron would be better suited to be the backup roll, which still get a lot of playing time since Drew is always hurt, and Bay could get some days at DH. This would be a very expensive backup, and take Hermida out of the equation.

2. The Sox deal for Gonzalez and have to give up Ellsbury in that deal. Cameron slides over to CF, and Boston goes out and picks up Bay. What a lineup that would be.

I know the 2nd scenario might only be a dream, but those are really the only two ways I see Bay coming back. Boston is most likely going to be platooning a lot of Cameron/Hermida in left field next season.

Mets Only Team Bidding On Bay

"The Mariners are "not a serious player" for Jason Bay, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com. The Braves and Giants don't appear to be engaged with Bay and the Angels aren't focused on him now, so the Mets are the lone known suitor for the left fielder. They're keeping in touch with Scott Boras, who represents Matt Holliday, but they may be willing to offer Bay a deal in the five-year $75MM range. They're hoping to hear back from him today (MLBTradeRumors)."

Good. Fucking rot in that mess of an organization called the Mets. Bay has to be thinking he should have taken the deal the Red Sox offered him. Most teams seem to be really scared off by shoulder issues most scouts think he will have. I like Bay, and I wanted to see him back, but you have to trust the scouts, and they are saying he won't hold up over the course of a 5 year deal.

Ryota Igarashi agrees to $3M, two-year deal with NYM

"NEW YORK -- Hoping they found their setup man on the other side of the globe, the New York Mets agreed Thursday with Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi on a $3 million, two-year contract.

The 30-year-old right-hander became the first major addition this offseason for the Mets following a 70-92 debacle that left them with a fourth-place finish in the NL East.

New York thinks Igarashi could fill the role of eighth-inning setup man for All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez.

"We've had an interest in Ryota for two years," general manager Omar Minaya said in a statement. "He's got a power arm and an outstanding split-finger."

Igarashi went 3-2 with a 3.19 ERA and three saves in 56 games last season in Japan. He struck out 44 and walked 20 in 53 2/3 innings." -ESPN.com

As a Mets fan I will not complain about this signing. I've been saying that I don't understand why the Mets have cannot make the smart rational decisions that even we as mere fans know to make. The Mets need PITCHING, and hitting too, and a new GM but pitching most importantly. Putz was a failure, I can only hope this new japanese setup man won't follow in the footsteps of every failed setup man since 2000.

As for the Bay signing? Honestly, if Jason Bay becomes a New York Metropolitan I will have no choice but to be excited. A power hitter to add some run support for Johan Sanata would be nice in Citi Field; but I don't want Bay. The Mets are notorious for signing players coming off of their contract seasons, in their early or mid 30's, giving them too many years. I trust that Jason Bay would be a great hitter in NY and in the National League again but look at Beltran for example; 32 years old, 19 million dollars in 2009 and hit amazingggggg .325 10 hr 48 rbi and 11 sb....but only played 81 games with TWO messed up knees that are only getting worse.

My Mets Plan:
> Trade Beltran NOW
> Sign and trade Bay
> Dump Luis (fuck face) Castillo and Carlos Delgado (FA)
> Keep Santana, Wright, Reyes, Krod and Pelfry; If your not one of those 5 guys...go the fuck awayyyyyyyyyyyy...rebuild

If the Mets think they have a shot at winning the World Series in 2010 with that team HAHA...I might as well let a Phillies fan laugh and slap me to remind me they just got Roy Halladay

Was Jason Bay the Problem with the Offense?

I like Jason Bay. I'm a Jason Bay fan. When a player you hate gets traded (Manny), and his replacement has any measure of success, you're bound to have a new favorite on the team. Having the number 44 doesn't hurt either (see: Orlando Cabrera). Neither does going to Gonzaga (before it became cool).

I like Jason Bay's overall numbers. .267 average, .384 OBP, .537 SLG, .921 OPS. Very nice. 119 RBI, 36 HR. Excellent.

But was the Sox big offensive problem scoring runs in a 162 game stretch, or was it scoring runs consistently, day in, day out?

The Sox were 3rd in the AL with 872 runs. The Angels were only 9 ahead of them in 2nd, and only the Yankees were significantly above them with 915 runs. The Yankees, Angels, and Sox were also 1-2-3 in Major League Baseball for runs scored. The Sox scored 5.38 runs a game, more than 26 other clubs, and more than the 4.61 MLB average, and the 4.82 AL average. The Sox scored enough runs.

It was consistency. That was the problem with the offense. And if you want consistency, then don't look in Jason Bay's direction.

Monthly Splits

In June, he hit .230, with only 4 homers and 20 RBI. In July, he hit 1 homerun, and knocked in 5 runs, in 25 games. He hit .192. He was red hot in April and May. He warmed up again in August and September. Then he cooled off in October. In the ALDs, he was 1 for 8 with a single. He walked 3 times. 0 RBI.

Now all hitters are streaky hitters. Hot for a week, cold for a week. But Bay was hot for 2 months, cold for 2 months. And when Bay was having his worst struggles (July), the Sox went 13-12.

As I think more and more about Bay's inconsistency, I'm starting to reconsider my stance on the Sox re-signing him.

-The Commodore

Bay Wants Out Of Boston

Well looks like DP is going to get his wish...

"Jason Bay apparently wants out of Boston and the Mets are waiting to hear if New York could be the next home for the free agent outfielder. The chances of Bay signing elsewhere seemed to improved dramatically over the weekend when he turned down the latest offer from the Red Sox. That offer is believed to be similar to the four-year, $60 million contract he turned down over the summer and Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com reported that the Red Sox have no intention of offering Bay a fifth year. Bay's agent, Joe Upton, said his client would prefer to sign elsewhere. That could be good news for the Mets, who are believed to have offered a four-year deal for about $65 million. Bay's final destination will likely hinge on which team is willing to make a five-year offer (ESPN)."

I'll admit I am surprised by all this. I really thought he would come back to the Sox, but it looks like he wants out. Why? I have no fucking idea. Anyways, it looks like it is going to be a long season for the Red Sox, but there is a lot of offseason left, so we'll have to see what they do...

Mets Bidding On Bay A "Smokescreen"

"As he (Joel Sherman of the New York Post) points out, there's a fairly decent chance the Mets made an offer to Bay just as a smokescreen to appease their beleaguered fanbase. It's something the Mets have done in the past.

Beyond that, unless the money is insanely higher, why in the world would Bay want to go to play in a huge park for a second-rate team? The answer is he wouldn't.

It may take a week or two or three, but in the end the prediction here remains that the Sox will retain Bay (Boston.com)."

That is basically everything I was thinking when I heard the Mets were in on this. I still think Bay is coming back. The Mets did enough to say they put some effort in this offseason, but it isn't enough to take Bay out of a park that helps his numbers, and go to a team that is just awful. The Sox may have been right about the market for Bay, and my guess is he signs for 5 years at $65-70 million.

The Latest On Jason Bay

"ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney says this morning via the Hot Stove that "there are concerns within the Boston organization about whether Bay would hold up physically through a multi-year deal." Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe writes today that the market for Bay is smaller than anticipated and that the Red Sox may have read that market correctly. No move is expected today since Benjamin tweets this morning that the "Red Sox front office has mostly bolted Indy already (ESPN)."

Here is what you need to know.

1. The Sox may have read the market correctly on Bay, since there are not a lot of teams jumping on him.

2. Seattle (from what I am reading) is all but out of the race for Bay.

3. The Angels seem to be out too as they are focused on their pitching staff.

4. The Mets are the new team throwing their name around. They could be tough fro Boston to beat out, since they love throwing around crazy contracts.

5. I still think Bay is coming back.

6. Nothing is going to happen soon with the Sox. The front office doesn't seem to be panicking, and is already mostly back in Boston.

The Latest On Jason Bay

"The Red Sox are going to have plenty of competition for Jason Bay. The Seattle Mariners are looking to make a move in the AL West. They're keeping Felix Hernandez, are about to sign Chone Figgins and have targeted Bay to play left field. Bay makes sense for the Mariners. The Mariners badly need a LF after rotating Endy Chavez, Michael Saunders, Wladimir Balentien and Ryan Langerhans there last season. They also need some to bolster an offense that scored only 640 runs.

The kicker: Bay lives in Kirkland, Wash., a 25-minute ride to Safeco Field. His wife, Kristen, is from there. Bay played college ball at Gonzaga, The question is whether the Mariners will spend the money to sign Figgins and Bay. They also want to retain free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre. If the Mariners can make an offer at least close to what Boston is offering, Bay will find it difficult to turn down. This is why players become free agents, so they have the freedom to make these sorts of choices (Boston.com)."

I still think Jason Bay is coming to the Sox. I would be surprised if the Mariners are suddenly going to start throwing around this kind of money. I was unaware of his connections to Washington, which makes things a little bit more interesting, but the Sox really don't have much of a choice here. They have to get him back, because otherwise it would be Holliday or bust, which could get insanely expensive if Bay is signed first.

Mariners In Bay Mix?

"left field was a black hole last season in Seattle, where the Mariners used seven different starters in 2009. That void could be filled by Jason Bay, a native of British Columbia who resides in the Pacific Northwest.

Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times writes that the Mariners have made a "concerted push" to land Bay, even though he is not as skilled a defensive player as GM Jack Zduriencik would like." ESPN

I have said it from the beginning, I don't think Bay is coming back. I think he's going to go to the highest bidder, and that may not be the Sox. If the Mariners were somehow able to pull this off, it would instantly move them to the top of the AL West. They were a decent team last year with no offense, so you figure if they add a bat like Bay, that makes at least a playoff push.

Holliday Over Bay For Red Sox?

"The Boston Red Sox are looking for a left fielder and have been mentioned in the market for free agents Jason Bay and Matt Holliday.

FoxSports.com reports that it would benefit Boston to pursue Holliday rather than Bay because it would land the team an additional draft pick. A rival executive told the website that the Red Sox may not intend to keep Bay even though they are negotiating with him.

Under the current system, a team that in effect exchanges one Type A free agent for another actually nets a sandwich pick between the first and second round -- technically losing a first for signing Holliday and gaining one for offering Bay arbitration and letting him sign elsewhere (ESPN)."

Yes it would be nice for the Sox to pick up some more draft picks, but I just trust Bay a lot more. Bay has proven that he can hit in Boston, hit in the AL, and be solid in the field. It's not that I would mind Holliday there, it is just a trust Bay a lot more, because he has already done it. There is no report from the Sox on these rumors, so it is really just baseball writers giving theories...nothing more.

J.D. Drew Has Shoulder Surgery

"Boston right fielder J.D. Drew recently underwent minor shoulder surgery, reports the Boston Herald. With the Red Sox trying to retain free agent outfielder Jason Bay, it makes sense that the team would try to keep any injuries quiet, no matter how minor, since that could impact their leverage in negotiations (ESPN)."

The Red Sox can get out of Drew's contract if he has serious shoulder issues. Apparently this is not serious enough (which sucks!!!). It doesn't seems like this will keep him out, as the Globe is saying he will be ready for spring training. I also don't see this affecting the ongoing negotiations with Jason Bay.

Bay Rejects Red Sox Offer

"Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman is reporting outfielder Jason Bay has rejected an initial offer from the Red Sox. Heyman cites anonymous sources saying the first offer was for four years at "close to $60 million." The Red Sox have an exclusive right to negotiate with Bay until 12:01 a.m. tonight. The full free agency period begins Friday.

"Nothing will happen by day's end, but we'll keep talking,'' Bay's agent Joe Urbon is quoted as saying in the SI article (Boston.com)."

Don't read into this too much. Bay has come this far he is obviously going to at least see what's out there. That deal is about $15 million a year. I think for the Sox to sign him it is going to take between $17-$18 million, which I think they will do. If we hear more we will let you know, but I don't expect anything anytime soon.

Bay Wins First Silver Slugger Award

Jason Bay has been named to the 2009 American League Silver Slugger team. Bay, currently a free agent, is receiving the honor for the first time after setting career highs with 36 home runs and 119 RBI in 151 games with the Red Sox in 2009.

The Silver Slugger Awards are presented annually to the top offensive players at each position in both the AL and NL based on the voting of managers and coaches.

Here is the rest of the winners:
1B—Mark Teixeira, New York (3d Award)
2B—Aaron Hill, Toronto (1st Award)
3B—Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay (1st Award)
SS—Derek Jeter, New York (4th Award)
OF—Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle (3rd Award)
OF—Jason Bay, Boston (1st Award)
OF—Torii Hunter, Los Angeles (1st Award)
C—Joe Mauer, Minnesota (3d Award)
DH—Adam Lind, Toronto (1st Award)

Kind of awesome that Adam Lind got one. No one really talks about how well he played this year (expect for me because he was on my fantasy team), but he was a force this season and really deserved some kind of recognition.

Cardinals Interested In Jason Bay

"The St. Louis Cardinals are prepping a list of alternatives to Matt Holliday, and the top guy on that list may be Jason Bay, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Holliday, a Boras client, is expected to seek a contract that betters the 8-year, $136 million the Chicago Cubs gave Alfonos Soriano, which may be too rich for the Cardinals. Bay is a year older than Holliday and is believed to be an inferior defender, which may suppress his free-agent value enough for St. Louis to stay involved (ESPN)."

Jason Bay is a better player then Holliday, and I really hope he stays with the Sox. My fear is that the Yankees might try to steal him away, but in the end I really don't think the Sox have any option, but to resign this guy. He can't carry an offense by himself, but I would much rather see him in left field then Matt "I can't hit in the AL" Holliday.