Jason Bay...

[JPN366]

So, say he hits free agency this winter. Do the White Sox put on a full court press for him? Discuss...

[SoxFan1]

It'd be nice to have him and Quentin as your corner outfielders, but I doubt the Sox so it. Theoretically, they'd have the money for it if they let Thome and Dye walk.

[bigruss]

I would offer him a 3 year deal worth around 30 mill (Also depends on the economy, this could go down to say 7 or 8 mill a year, or his value could skyrocket to a deal like JD Drew's, but this is what I would offer him).

 

Put him in LF, move Quentin to RF, Dye resigned at a lesser deal, put him at DH. Say bye and thanks to Thome, while adding a dynamic hitter who has a fantastic OBP that could work very well with the Q, Konerko and Dye. Only problem is that he is a righty, so maybe say bye to Dye and not Thome? Not sure on that part, but Bay would be a welcome addition to this lineup.

 

EDIT: Its way to hard right now to gauge where the market for him is going to be, and how much he will cost and what the overall market can offer this offseason, but a fair price I would grab him up in a heartbeat.

Edited May 11, 2009 by bigruss22

[Balta1701]

Depends on where the Sox are sitting in the draft.

[Chisoxfn]

The Sox will have money, but there is absolutely no way the Red Sox let him walk. He's been huge for them and could very well be a new face of the franchise for them. However, the Red Sox weren't planning on bringing him back or blowing him away with an offer, I'd go for him as a replacement for Dye. The Sox could use a 2nd quality corner hitting outfielder, but in general, I expect the Sox to put there money in other places, most likely internally where they'll resign some young guys and probably (or hopefully) throw some good bonuses into some more international FA's and some draft picks (ie, giving a few guys above slot money like they did wtih Danksy).

[Balta1701]

Also depends on Viciedo and Fields.

[Chisoxfn]

Also depends on Viciedo and Fields.

I really hope Fields figures things out, but I have major doubts about him.

[knightni]

Can he play CF?

[bigruss]

Also depends on Viciedo and Fields.

And if they are succeeding, and Alexei turns it around, or Nix keeps hitting, and Getz is still going strong, where does Beckham fit? Does he push both Fields and Viciedo into the OF? Or does Alexei go there? Way to many ifs and circumstances to really get a grasp on where we will be in the offseason.

 

But no doubt about it the Sox could use a guy like Bay, just at what cost to other areas of the team.

[rangercal]

wtf? How are we going to get Bay for anywhere near 3/30?

[bigruss]

wtf? How are we going to get Bay for anywhere near 3/30?

Like I said, its hard to gauge where the market will be for him, and what the economy is like. Now instead of just blasting my suggestion, what would you say he would demand?

[fathom]

With the way Bay is playing, there's going to be about 5 teams that can even afford him. Pass

[bigruss]

Just look what Dunn, Abreu, Hudson got last offseason, all of these guys were looking for HUGE deals before that season then the economy tanks and Dunn get what? 20 mill over 2 years from the Nationals? No contender wanted to pay him that much. Hudson could only get a 1 year incentive laden deal when he was looking for a long term deal at about 10 mill per going into the offseason.

 

For the Sox, I actually wouldve preferred Dunn to Bay, because I think he is a great replacement for Thome, high OBP, high SLG and we can put him in the DH role. Bay is actually one or two years older than Dunn.

[Chisoxfn]

Just look what Dunn, Abreu, Hudson got last offseason, all of these guys were looking for HUGE deals before that season then the economy tanks and Dunn get what? 20 mill over 2 years from the Nationals? No contender wanted to pay him that much. Hudson could only get a 1 year incentive laden deal when he was looking for a long term deal at about 10 mill per going into the offseason.

 

For the Sox, I actually wouldve preferred Dunn to Bay, because I think he is a great replacement for Thome, high OBP, high SLG and we can put him in the DH role. Bay is actually one or two years older than Dunn.

Bay is a bigger name. Last seasons market showed us one thing, the stars got paid like stars and the good to very good players had a hard time getting paid or at least had to wait a while. Bay is starting to look like a star or at least is going to be perceived as that because of what he's doing in a large market in the prime of his career.

 

Hudson was coming off a major injury, Abreu is old, and Dunn had flaws in his game. Now look at Tex, Burnett, CC, etc and you'll see that guys in there prime that were considered stars or had the potential to be stars still got paid and I figure Bay will get a 5 year deal in the neighborhood of between 12-15M per season (probably much closer to 15M and if there were enough suitors I wouldn't be shocked to see him get a little more).

[bigruss]

Bay is a bigger name. Last seasons market showed us one thing, the stars got paid like stars and the good to very good players had a hard time getting paid or at least had to wait a while. Bay is starting to look like a star or at least is going to be perceived as that because of what he's doing in a large market in the prime of his career.

 

Hudson was coming off a major injury, Abreu is old, and Dunn had flaws in his game. Now look at Tex, Burnett, CC, etc and you'll see that guys in there prime that were considered stars or had the potential to be stars still got paid and I figure Bay will get a 5 year deal in the neighborhood of between 12-15M per season (probably much closer to 15M and if there were enough suitors I wouldn't be shocked to see him get a little more).

Tex: NYY

CC: NYY

Burnett: NYY

 

Now he may have the suitors to get such a deal, but right now I dont see it. You can count on the Yanks, Mets, and Red Sox to be able to afford and be willing to offer larger contracts, but I still dont see many teams WILLING to spend that type of money.

 

I could be wrong, but right now I dont see alot of teams offering that type of money, unless a team like the Angels get desperate to replace Vlad or something.

 

And I could be wrong but I believe Bay has flaws too, he isnt a huge power machine, has had years where scouts were really down on him, and I believe his defense his shaky (again, this is off the top of my head, and could be wrong)

[Chisoxfn]

Tex: NYY

CC: NYY

Burnett: NYY

 

Now he may have the suitors to get such a deal, but right now I dont see it. You can count on the Yanks, Mets, and Red Sox to be able to afford and be willing to offer larger contracts, but I still dont see many teams WILLING to spend that type of money.

 

I could be wrong, but right now I dont see alot of teams offering that type of money, unless a team like the Angels get desperate to replace Vlad or something.

 

And I could be wrong but I believe Bay has flaws too, he isnt a huge power machine, has had years where scouts were really down on him, and I believe his defense his shaky (again, this is off the top of my head, and could be wrong)

Lets see. The Angels are still realing after losing out on Texeira and Vladdy is older, struggling and well not exactly the Vladdy of old. So clearly the Angels would be a team that would go balls out for Bay.

 

Than you don't have to go much more North to identify the Dodgers as another option. Manny will probably be gone and the Dodgers could replace Manny's production with Bay. Plus the Red Sox would clearly be interested as well.

 

So that right there is three large market teams that would be intersted in Bay. You also have to figure some other teams will come out of the wood-work as well and I could even see the Cubs having interset if they could find a way to get rid of Bradley/Fukodome's contracts. Giants could be looking for pop as well as they have a great young pitching staff and little offense whatsoever.

[bigruss]

Lets see. The Angels are still realing after losing out on Texeira and Vladdy is older, struggling and well not exactly the Vladdy of old. So clearly the Angels would be a team that would go balls out for Bay.

 

Than you don't have to go much more North to identify the Dodgers as another option. Manny will probably be gone and the Dodgers could replace Manny's production with Bay. Plus the Red Sox would clearly be interested as well.

 

So that right there is three large market teams that would be intersted in Bay. You also have to figure some other teams will come out of the wood-work as well and I could even see the Cubs having interset if they could find a way to get rid of Bradley/Fukodome's contracts. Giants could be looking for pop as well as they have a great young pitching staff and little offense whatsoever.

I stated the Angels as a team that could get desperate, and the Dodgers still have Manny for another year, so unless he gets traded (doubtful) I dont see them looking for a OF for another year.

 

Hendry would have to perform another miracle to get rid of those two and their contracts.

 

Giants are a viable team.

 

I was talking more from the Sox perspective anyways, and what I would offer with the current economy and makeup of our team. Could my suggestion be ridiculous? Yup. Could it be what they are willing to pay? Yup. Could the Red Sox resign him for 5 years 75 mill? Pretty possible because they can afford it.

 

My point as I said earlier, with the down market and the needs of the Sox I would offer him that much maybe a bit more, basically replacing one of Dye or Thomes contracts and a bit more, if he takes it then great. If not, we have alot of options to play around with.

[Chisoxfn]

I stated the Angels as a team that could get desperate, and the Dodgers still have Manny for another year, so unless he gets traded (doubtful) I dont see them looking for a OF for another year.

 

Hendry would have to perform another miracle to get rid of those two and their contracts.

 

Giants are a viable team.

 

I was talking more from the Sox perspective anyways, and what I would offer with the current economy and makeup of our team. Could my suggestion be ridiculous? Yup. Could it be what they are willing to pay? Yup. Could the Red Sox resign him for 5 years 75 mill? Pretty possible because they can afford it.

 

My point as I said earlier, with the down market and the needs of the Sox I would offer him that much maybe a bit more, basically replacing one of Dye or Thomes contracts and a bit more, if he takes it then great. If not, we have alot of options to play around with.

Oh, I would definately consider making 5yrs 75M and stated that much in an earlier post. I thought you were indicating that he'd be had for a deal similar to that of Dunn or Abreu's and that would be shocking since at the very least you'll have the Red Sox interested in bringing him back.

[Paint it Black]

He might play his way out of the White Sox price range.

[fathom]

No offense to JPN, but we simply don't outbid other teams for free agents (besides our own PK). With the economy this year, there's not a chance in hell of the Sox getting in a bidding war and winning it against Boston, Yanks, etc.

[klaus kinski]

It'd be nice to have him and Quentin as your corner outfielders, but I doubt the Sox so it. Theoretically, they'd have the money for it if they let Thome and Dye walk.

 

They have the $ anyway

[Balta1701]

Lets see. The Angels are still realing after losing out on Texeira and Vladdy is older, struggling and well not exactly the Vladdy of old. So clearly the Angels would be a team that would go balls out for Bay.

 

Than you don't have to go much more North to identify the Dodgers as another option. Manny will probably be gone and the Dodgers could replace Manny's production with Bay. Plus the Red Sox would clearly be interested as well.

I believe Manny's deal next year is a player option right?

[qwerty]

I believe Manny's deal next year is a player option right?

 

Ramirez must decide whether to opt out of final year of deal before fifth day after 2009 World Series or Nov. 10, whichever is later

[Chisoxfn]

I believe Manny's deal next year is a player option right?

Yep, he might not opt out anymore but the initial thought was that he was going to probably opt out at the end of the season. He probably won't have that sort of leverage though.

[Balta1701]

Yep, he might not opt out anymore but the initial thought was that he was going to probably opt out at the end of the season. He probably won't have that sort of leverage though.

After the last week, I can't imagine what it would take for him to opt-out. Who in their right mind would offer a 37 year old proven juicer a contract worth more than $20 million?

 

(And GM's aren't going to be as stupid as some of the Fans who still say they support ManRam. They know exactly what the stuff he was on means.)