Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said that, after substantive conversations with outfielder Jason Bay (and his representatives) about the possibility of a contract extension this spring, the two sides have concluded that an agreement is not possible at this time. The Sox and Bay will disengage from discussions for the rest of the spring, though the two sides remain open to resuming conversations over the course of the season.

The reason for the inability to come to an agreement was a dramatically changing market for the services of power-hitting corner outfielders. This offseason, that market seemed to collapse, with players such as Pat Burrell (two years, $16 million), Adam Dunn (two years, $20 million) and Bobby Abreu (one year, $5 million) all getting much less than the market would have suggested in past offseasons.

Bay is entering the final year of a four-year, $18.25 million deal he signed with the Pirates before the 2006 season. He is due to receive $7.5 million for the coming year.

Bay, a career, .282 hitter with a .375 OBP and .516 OBP, performed almost exactly to those numbers with the Red Sox after being traded to Boston last July 31. The 30-year-old hit .293/.370/.527 with the Sox during the regular season, then hit .341/.471/.634 in the playoffs.

4 Comments for “Bay, Red Sox ‘table’ extension discussions”

1. Zack Says:
   March 15th, 2009 at 1:12 pm

   Like I said previously, no reason to sign an extension now. This season he will have the Red Sox, Yankees, Mets, Angels bidding for his services, no reason to take 50-60m from Sox (like all their fans want) when he could get 90m on the open market

2. Jeff Maine Says:
   March 16th, 2009 at 7:10 am

   Bay will NOT gt 90 million from anyone. The market wont appreciate to any real extent for another 3 or so years. The economy isnt likely to improve any time soon, regardless of how effective any finanial policies affect positive economic change.

   That said, this coming winter, and likey the following winter as well, will continue to be just as bad as this winter was for free agents.

   Best case for Bay? I’d wager that a 4-5 year deal for 60-70 million will be TOPS what he could expect.

   Also, even if he could somehow miraculously get 90, the Sox will walk away from Drew if he has another injury riddled season…giving the Sox more cash to play with.

   I’ll say it now….Boston will keep Bay. Holliday will be a Yankee.

3. hopeful Says:
   March 16th, 2009 at 5:12 pm

   I hope that Jeff is right. He makes a lot of sense from what I have read. Jason Bay will be a Boston Red Sox player, hopefully for at least 4 years.

4. How to Get Six Pack Fast Says:
   April 15th, 2009 at 11:02 am

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