Jason Bay can’t sign with any club except the Boston Red Sox until at least the middle of November. Yet, the two sides are nowhere near one another in terms the length and money involved in a contract extension. The Sox couldn’t get Bay to sign an extension in March or during the All-Star Break. What makes the time between now and mid-November any different? “It’s very unusual for a player not to take the opportunity to at least listen, if he’s come this far, to what other teams have to say,” general manager Theo Epstein said.
The Red Sox want to keep Bay and Bay wants to stay with the team. Yet, a deal just hasn’t happened. With that said, uncertainty exists and the Red Sox need to find other options in case Bay doesn’t resign. Expect the Red Sox to search for his replacement in the free agent market.
Since it’s Boston and they have deep pockets, Matt Holliday is a likely replacement. Bay has more power – 36 home runs, 119 RBI – and did more offensively in 50 fewer at-bats. Holliday is a better defender whose numbers could mimic Bay’s if placed in the middle of the Red Sox lineup for a full season. But Holliday is represented by Scott Boras, who as Sean McAdam notes, “After the Sox failed to sign free agent Mark Teixeira last December, Red Sox ownership vowed to not do business with Boras’ clients again, though that might have been the frustration talking.”
If Holliday wants a contract equal to or greater than Bay’s and the Sox won’t meet Bay’s demands, they won’t go for Holliday.
The Red Sox have other options. Specifically, they could go after Angels players Chone Figgins and Bobby Abreu. Figgins would give the Sox a lead-off hitter and speed in a position they usually reserve for run producers. He and Jacoby Ellsbury would give the Red Sox an unrivaled 1-2 in their lineup that would be able to steal bases and score runs at will. If the Red Sox show interest in Figgins, don’t expect them to be the only team bidding for his services. Figgins will be in high demand this offseason, which will drive up his asking price.
Abreu could patrol left field in Boston. He’s also a patient hitter, much like Bay and Holliday. Abreu also produces runs. Abreu has 100 or more RBI in eight straight seasons and in nine of the past 10. Adding Abreu to the lineup would also give the Red Sox an all-lefty outfield to balance the all-righty infield. The Red Sox could get him cheaper than Bay or Holliday for what would probably be a shorter termed deal.
Rick Ankiel is also a free agent. But as Zach explained, he’s more of a fourth outfielder. He could start elsewhere, but probably not in Boston.
Jermaine Dye could also be a possibility. His time in Chicago seems up. He can still hit the ball and hit 27 home runs and drove in 81 RBI in 2009. The Sox would be giving up some offense by putting Dye in their lineup, but he can still help the team. At 35, Dye isn’t getting any younger, which would mean the Sox would try to sign him to a shorter deal. They’d have to go through this process again after 2010 if they signed Dye.
Other outfielders are also available in this free agent class. Since this is Boston, expect them to go after the marquee free agents. They have the money to go after them. The question is which free agent it will be. It’s no secret they want to resign Bay, but it’s not a given.
