In a video segment for NESN.com, Peter Gammons said the Red Sox and Jason Bay agreed to a four-year, $60 million extension last June.
However, after Bay took his physical, ‘an MRI showed a problem with both knees, Ownership then wanted to pay two years, he had to prove his health to make it four years and he wouldn’t sign.’
The Mets signed Bay to a four-year, $66 million, with a vesting fifth-year option.
…ok, so, if boston was only offering a two-year deal, how did the Mets end up guaranteeing four… the Mets were fearful they were bidding against themselves, and i have to think maybe they were… that said, had it been known that bay could he bad for, say, a three-year deal, other teams most certainly would have gotten involved… and so, while, technically, the Mets might have bid up two additional years than the next closest official offer, in all likelihood, if they wanted bay, they eventually would’ve offered four years and $66 million any way, i would think, in other to beat out the other three-year offers… in the end, i think bay got what he was worth…
To hear more from Gammons, including his thoughts on why the league may soon institute an independent panel of doctors, check out NESN’s video clip, here.
So is this a precursor to another rant about Mets doctors missing whatever this is on the physical? or is it just not true? I’m not sure I trust Gammons.
Considering Gammons was the guy who said Bay would rather play in Beirut than Queens, I’m going to place this story in the round metallic filing cabinet.
Jason Bay says he is healthy, he is healthy…considering our team doctor is strict on knees, I’d say this is nothing more than anti-Mets gossiping.
It’s Gammons the Anti- Met at it again. Why dosen’t this guy just go away
He went away from ESPN, lol…
Hey Dwright, maybe we can tell Gammons there is a job opening for sports commentator doing Iraq/Soccer games. Heard it pays well
LOL…that would be awesome!
Also, wasn’t it reported the Red Sox made the same 4 year 60 million offer in the off season?
If that’s true, then the Red Sox look foolish and I don’t blame Bay for not signing it when they re-offered it four months later. Something’s fishy, and it’s not with the Mets.
Probably trying to justify not resigning Bay to Red Sox Nation, that or they wanted Lowell gone from the get go and they knew they couldn’t afford both Bay and Beltre.
I don’t understand this story at all, though I doubt anyone will ask Gammons, “what about the reports of this 4/60 offer in the offseason?”
You’d think that when he was saying that Bay would rather play in Beirut he would have mentioned this scenario. Why now?
Gammons lies, and I don’t trust him anymore.
A month ago he was saying that Boston was offering 4 years and that Bay would rather play in Beirut than Queens, and now that the Mets grabbed him, he’s trying to make the Mets look bad by saying they were bidding against themselves.
Me neither.
That makes me almost as sad as watching Wilpon sabotage this organization.
Many knee problems can be taken care of in the off-season. We don’t expect the guy to steal 30 bases. As long as he is “ok” in the field he will always swing the bat well.
I trust Gammons about as much as I trust Boras. He has zero creditability!!!!
Exactly. This is nothing more than Gammons/Epstein we are holier than thou speak.
Why does Gammons keep harping on this, seems like he’s trying to justify why Boston didnt get Bay, needs like some excuse or something, I dont get it.
Maybe its because he had pie in his face earlier.
Gammons issue with the Mets: He looks like Fred Wilpons twin. Jealous he doesn’t have Big Brother Fred’s money!!!!!
For a guy with health issues he manages to play over 150 games a seson and if you thought he had bad knees would you even try and sign him fortwo years. I don’t beleive a word that comes out Gammons mouth !!
Let’s not forget Gammons grew up in MA and was a Red Sox fan/reporter for many years…including 1986.
Take a look at him he probably broke the story the redsox sold babe ruth to finance a broadway musical ,
Not only is Gammons credibility in doubt, but Boston has a HISTORY of bashing players after they leave the team. I don’t believe a word of his report.
This is a Peter Gammons Spin piece… So it looks like his beloved Red Sox were “Smarter”. Bay only wanted the money. He’s not a Boston guy. He didn’t’ really want to play here. Blah Blah Blah Blah….
I don’t believe a word out of his mouth now that he’s at NESN. He left covering Baseball as a whole so he could focus on his one true love… The Red Sox… Which is fine, but don’t comment on any other teams now other then Saux and Yanks….
Peter G: Your boys got two WS champs on the backs of MannyRoid and Big Mongo Poppy whom can’t field to save his life. And don’t tell me the Mongo wasn’t juicing either!!!! Sour grapes…..GO METS
once again Gammons reporting for his hometown team to make them look better.
Gammons stpins everything to make the Sox look smart. I have lost all respect for him.
I really like Gammons, but when it comes to something like this you have to take this with a grain of salt. Gammons is hugely pro Red Sox and repeats a lot of their spin as the gospel truth. Still like the guy, but I just don’t buy this whole two bum knees deal and only a 2 year deal from the Red Sox. Not that I can trust the Mets medical staff blindly, but this just doesn’t work for me.
This is easy guys. Just remember never to trust Gammons’ reports on anything Red Sox related, and you’ll sleep better at night.