Buzz: The Deal with Jason Bay and Matt Holliday
Last night Rob Bradford of WEEI Radio said an unidentified team has extended an offer of ‘beyond four years’ for free-agent OF Jason Bay.
…so, not necessarily a five-year guarantee, but more than four, which, to me, must mean a fifth-year option…
Bay’s agent, Joe Urban, told the Boston Globe that Bay does not intend to wait around for the Red Sox to up their offer, adding, “If they want, they can reengage at some point in this process, but we’re not going to wait.”
…last friday i said, from what i understand, having talked to people connected to the team, a) the Mets offer to bay is probably back-loaded, and b) though the current offer doesn’t have it, they are willing to go to a fifth-year option, but i do not believe it will never be guaranteed… so, i wonder if the unidentified team in bradford’s report is the Mets… i’m thinking it might be, because i believe the Mets want bay enough to do it…
…also, it seems the bigger hurdle here is the Angels, not the Red Sox, as Anaheim is held up in talks with the Blue Jays about RHP Roy Halladay… if the Angels do or do not acquire halladay, it is bound to influence how they approach bay and John Lackey… meanwhile, the Mariners are eyeing both bay and lackey, as are Mets…
…hey, Scott Boras, how is free-agent superman Matt Holliday feeling about this…
…i still think holliday is the better fit for the Mets… i do… early in the off season, i though the Mets felt the same, because i was under the impression they believed he wanted back in Boston, and still does, followed by Seatte… in other words, i think if holliday were to magically drop his price to bay’s four-year-with-an-option level, the Mets might turn to holliday, as might the Angels…
…the buzz in St. Louis suggests the Cardinals most recent offer to holliday might fall short because he is seeking a no-trade clause, and a $100 million deal, which are two things they are not likely to give him… i assume boras must be thinking, let the bay situation play out… more than one team will be left at the alter, at which point he’ll swoop in and fill the void with holliday, in hopes of getting his client everything he wants…
So, say these are the choices:
Matt Holliday, for six years and a no trade clause, at roughly $20 million per year.
Jason Bay, for four years, with an option, at roughly $16 million per year.
John Lackey, for five years, with an option, at roughly $$16 million per year.
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