BallHype - Latest Jason Bay News Articles

Head-to-Head: Jason Bay is the most appealing free-agent bat

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:10:28 +0000

In what is considered a thin free-agent class, two elite sluggers remain available: Matt Holliday and Jason Bay. Both play left field, both should sign a nine-figure deal and both can be real difference-makers. But removing the Scott Boras factor (he represents Holliday), which big bat actually is more valuable? Stan McNeal argues that Holliday is a better option , but Chris Bahr explains why Bay will provide more bang for the buck: Jason Bay and Matt Holliday. Both elite sluggers are in their prime, both are available on the free-agent market, both are ideal teammates ... who wouldn't be interested in them both? Apparently, the Angels, who were so turned off by agent Scott Boras last offseason (in the Mark Teixeira negotiations) that they already have ruled out pursuing Holliday this offseason. However, owner Arte Moreno told the Los Angeles Times that Bay is very much on their radar. The Angels being the exception, plenty of contenders are doing their due diligence on both left fielders. And ...

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Mets in Guillen bargain hunt

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:17:56 +0000

The Mets have a backup option if the Matt Holliday and Jason Bay bidding gets out of hand. The Royals, who are looking to deal outfielder Jose Guillen, identified the Mets as a potential trading partner, although there was no deal considered close, sources said.

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Jason Bay Should Have Accepted the Boston Red Sox Offer of $60 M for Four Years

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:44:53 +0000

ESPN.com reports that Boston Red Sox left fielder Jason Bay refused an initial offer by the team and will dive into the pool of free agency and test the depth of the waters. If the figures mentioned are indeed the same as that offered by the front office, Bay and/or his agent may prove to be foolish. Large money is becoming much more difficult to demand with the economy suffering as it is. Even though $15,000,000 per year would not place him at the head of the class, neither does his .267 average he posted this past season. It is also a pretty doggone good salary for anyone, even a baseball star. I am not attempting to diminish the ability or the statistics of Bay, I merely state what I believe are solid facts. I have always liked Bay even when he was the best hitter against the Cincinnati Reds while a Pittsburgh Pirate. He absolutely wore the Reds thin, seemingly hitting multiple homers each series, especially at Great American Ball Park. It is a very good resume he boasts, may I add. ...

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Giants plan to avoid OFs Holliday and Bay

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:44:02 +0000

Sporting News staff reports The Giants, believed to be in the market for a slugging left fielder, apparently won't pursue free agent outfielders Matt Holliday or Jason Bay. General manager Brian Sabean told the San Francisco Chronicle that he hasn't contacted the agents for those two players and has no plans to do so. Sabean said he doubts Bay and Holliday have genuine interest in signing with San Francisco, and he doesn't want the Giants to be used to drive up those players' prices for other teams. Instead, Sabean noted the market's good crop of "second tier" free agents.

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Angels will pursue Bay, but not Holliday

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:20:47 +0000

Sporting News staff reports Angels owner Arte Moreno told the Los Angeles Times that the team will not pursue free agent outfielder Matt Holliday this offseason. However, Moreno admitted the team has interest in free agent outfielder Jason Bay. "(Holliday) is not going to be an Angel," Moreno told the newspaper. "We are not looking at Holliday at all." The newspaper speculated the Angels are shying away from Holliday because he is represented by agent Scott Boras. Boras also represents Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, who left the Angels in free agency last offseason. And although he would like to re-sign free agent righthander John Lackey and free agent third baseman Chone Figgins, Moreno admitted it likely will be impossible to afford to bring back both players. Moreno also hinted to the newspaper that free agent DH Vladimir Guerrero will play elsewhere in 2010. "We've talked to his agent just ...

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OF Jason Bay reaches open market

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:37:45 +0000

That sound at midnight last night was the window closing shut on the Red Sox' best shot at a preemptive re-signing of Jason Bay. At 12:01 a.m., all 171 free agents,...

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Giants unlikely to court Holliday, Bay

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:26:00 +0000

On the eve of open free agency, Giants general manager Brian Sabean essentially ruled out any possibility of signing Matt Holliday or Jason Bay, regarded as the two most significant impact hitters available.

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Hot Stove churning as FA period dawns

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:01:00 +0000

Here's a rundown of Thursday's biggest Hot Stove news, rumors and rumblings, which included Jason Bay reportedly turning down the Red Sox's four-year offer.

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Theo Epstein: Jason Bay will 'see what's out there'

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:01:10 +0000

Jason Bay's agent will be able to begin fielding phone calls as early as the stroke of midnight tonight, as the Red Sox free agent is not expected to strike any deal...

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Jason Bay reportedly rejects initial offer from Boston Red Sox

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:25:10 +0000

Jason Bay will officially test of the open waters of free agency after declining the Red Sox's initial contract offer.

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Free agent Bay nixes Sox's initial offer

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:54:46 +0000

Star free agent outfielder Jason Bay has declined Boston's initial contract offer and will head to full free agency, SI.com has learned.

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Something's brewing ... and it's not good

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:16:47 +0000

With free agency set to kick off at 12:01 tonight, the baseball world will wait to see where players such as John Lackey, Matt Holliday and Jason Bay land in the coming weeks. But things could get ugly in baseball in the very near future. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wrote a very interesting piece detailing the brewing war between players and owners. Give it a read.

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Cardinals won't turn to Bay if Holliday leaves

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:34:11 +0000

Sporting News staff reports Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that free-agent outfielder Jason Bay isn't a priority for the team and won't be even if free-agent outfielder Matt Holliday signs elsewhere. Bay is considered a Plan B for any team that loses the Holliday sweepstakes, but the Cardinals apparently will shift their focus to starting pitching (perhaps a trade for Detroit Tigers right-hander Edwin Jackson or someone from the Atlanta Braves' rotation surplus) and lower-priced outfield options (such as free agent Xavier Nady) if they don't re-sign Holliday.

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Mets ready to shop, spend on open market

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:00:00 +0000

When the free-agent filing period ended at midnight, the Mets and 29 other Holliday shoppers became free to launch their pursuit of Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, John Lackey and any other of the more than 300 free agents.

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Mets Seeking Top Hitter, With Other Holes to Fill

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:29:44 +0000

The Mets are interested in Matt Holliday or Jason Bay, but they also need a new catcher, a starting left fielder, bullpen help and another quality starter.

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Free-agent preview: Outfielders, designated hitters

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:38:44 +0000

Think of shopping for free-agent outfielders and DHs like this: Matt Holliday and Jason Bay are Nordstrom. Everyone else is Nordstrom Rack. "I think everyone sees there's separation after the first two," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. Holliday and Bay figure to sift through offers for weeks. Everyone else is less likely to be so choosy. No one wants to become this offseason's Bobby Abreu and have to take a last-minute, discount offer. (Even Abreu didn't want a repeat of last offseason. He already re-signed with the Angels.) The Red Sox, Yankees, Cardinals, Giants and Mets are among the big-money clubs with outfield/DH needs. TOP 5 FREE-AGENT OUTFIELDERS/DHs The Yankees got a lot out of Johnny Damon; do they risk another long-term deal? 1. LF Matt Holliday. Holliday's contract likely will be for at least five years and $90 million, and he is unlikely to be close to a deal until December's winter meetings. Will the Cardinals buck up and increase their ...

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"Bay" Players to the Seattle Mariners' City on the "Sound?"

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:05:03 +0000

Jason Bay. Lyle Overbay. No, they don't play for Tampa Bay. But they may be playing for the city on the (Puget) "Sound," if the Seattle Mariners, or at least Mariners writers like Andy Augur, have their way. In 2009, the Mariners were something like No. 7 in the American League playoff sweepstakes. That was despite American League-leading team pitching. But "offense" is something that the Mariners have historically lacked; they were in the bottom third in this regard. Which is why they might pay a premium for it. A few more games could push them at least to No. 5, hopefully to No. 4 in their league. Offensively, the Mariners' weakest areas are the left field and the corner infield slots. Which is where Bay and Overbay come into picture. Jason Bay, certainly. On offense, he is a five "win above replacement" (WAR) player who would be worth $20 million, and is reportedly asking $18 million from the Boston Red Sox. What detracts from Bay's market value is his defense; to the tune of MINUS 1.5 ...

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Bay picks up first Silver Slugger Award

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:00:00 +0000

After his first full season in a Red Sox uniform, and yet another productive campaign at the plate, Jason Bay earned his first Silver Slugger Award on Thursday.

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Matsui a possibility for Red Sox

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:19:00 +0000

According to a report, the Red Sox are preparing a multiyear offer for Hideki Matsui to be the team's regular left fielder as an alternative to Jason Bay.

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Halos show real 'lack' of interest

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:40:44 +0000

CHICAGO -- The Red Sox (Jason Bay) and the Cardinals (Matt Holliday) have prioritized keeping their star left fielders. However, the Angels' interest in retaining the top starter on the market, John Lackey, is far more tepid. In fact, the Angels' ...

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Angels show real 'Lack' of interest

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:40:44 +0000

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Mets open talks with Holliday, eye Molina

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:32:20 +0000

CHICAGO — Omar Minaya met with Scott Boras for 45 minutes last night to begin to determine the price on Matt Holliday. The meeting comes at a time when the Mets are still debating whether to big-game hunt this offseason for offense (Jason Bay or Holl...

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Mets likely to pass on Holliday, Bay

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:44:27 +0000

Sporting News staff reports According to the New York Daily News, free-agent outfielders Jason Bay and Matt Holliday likely are out of the Mets' price range. They might instead pursue a second-tier free-agent outfielder, or explore the trade market. Newsday speculated the Rays' Pat Burrell could be a target. In other Mets news, the newspaper reported shortstop Jose Reyes is walking without crutches, less than a month after having surgery to repair a torn hamstring. Reyes, who didn't play after May 20 this season, is expected to be ready for spring training. Similarly, left-hander Johan Santana, recovering from surgery to remove bone chips from his pitching elbow, is progressing well. He expects to do his normal winter throwing program.

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Get the latest news from the GM meetings

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:42:28 +0000

Jason Bay is going to be in high demand. And in the latest from the GM meetings, it seems his hometown team is joining the pursuit.

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Holliday, Bay bidding may surpass Mets' appetite

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:25:27 +0000

Omar Minaya arrived at the GM Meetings at the O’Hare Hilton on Monday night maintaining it was his obligation to investigate the price tags of top-tier free agents. However, a team insider told the Daily News he expected that the salary demands of outfielders Matt Holliday and Jason Bay would exceed the organization’s comfort level. Instead, the Mets expect to sign a left fielder from the second tier group of free agents, or acquire one via trade, a team source said. Picking up a power bat in left field would allow the Mets to follow through with their intention of using Daniel Murphy as the primary first baseman next season. One report listed Mike Cameron as a potential target for left field because of his power and defense, but a source close to the ex-Met didn’t see a match because Cameron still wants to play center field. A team official would not rule out Carlos Delgado returning, but portrayed it as an unlikely scenario barring Delgado’s willingness for ...

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Mets won't pay top dollar for free agents

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:26:28 +0000

Omar Minaya arrived at the GM meetings Monday night maintaining it was his obligation to investigate the price of top-tier free agents. However, a team insider told the Daily News he expected the salary demands of outfielders Matt Holliday and Jason Bay to be too high for the Mets.

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Any Jason Bay deal will take time

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:53:13 +0000

CHICAGO - Every Red Sox offseason has its share of sagas. The front-runner this year is Jason Bay, and it's going to take some time to find out. A deal between the...

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Thin free-agent market may lead to trades

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 16:47:07 +0000

CHICAGO -- No team is going to spend or presumably improve via free agency like the Yankees did last winter, when they doled out $423.5 million to three star players alone. Post-parade, and as the GM meetings get underway here on Monday, the only conclusion that can be drawn is that the Yankees spent wisely. But with the Yankees far less needy this winter and this year's free-agent list less star-studded -- Matt Holliday, Jason Bay and John Lackey are the only in-their-prime players who can reasonably aim for $100 million deals and the only ones even sure to crack $50 million -- no team is expected to try to duplicate such a spending spree. Nor would one even be possible this time around.

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