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Minaya: Bay isn't only outfielder we're looking at

metirish Dec 24 2009 06:43 AM

Jason Bay remains the Mets' primary target this offseason, and the Mets remain in communication with the outfielder, who doesn't appear to have any other serious suitors. But the Mets' patience does have a limit, Omar Minaya said yesterday. "Jason Bay isn't the only free-agent [outfielder] we're looking at," Minaya told Newsday in a telephone interview. " . . . At some point, we have to consider other plans." Minaya declined to identify those other plans, but the market features a good number of free-agent outfielders. On the high end, there's Matt Holliday, with whom the Mets have stayed in regular communication (via agent Scott Boras) but haven't displayed any serious interest. On the lower end, Marlon Byrd, Johnny Damon, Mark DeRosa, Xavier Nady and Randy Winn top the list of everyday outfielders. The Mets have a greater need for a lefthanded hitter; Damon hits lefty, while Winn is a switch-hitter who hits slightly better from the left side. On Dec. 10, the Mets extended Bay a four-year offer for about $65 million. Bay wants at least a five-year deal, and the Mets have indicated to Bay that they'd be willing to go a fifth year for fewer dollars per season. When Newsday asked Minaya whether he believes Bay has a sincere interest in playing for the Mets, Minaya said, "Yes." The Boston-based radio station WEEI reported on its Web site yesterday that the Red Sox have held "internal discussions" about bringing back Bay, who rejected the team's four-year, $60-million offer. In order to act upon those discussions, the Red Sox surely would have to make another move, as they currently have three starting outfielders (newcomer Mike Cameron and holdovers J.D. Drew and Jacoby Ellsbury) as well as two designated hitters (Mike Lowell and David Ortiz). The Mets also remain at a standstill with free-agent catcher Bengie Molina, who wants a three-year deal for about $20 million while the Mets have offered two years for about $10 million. Moreover, the Mets are examining the markets for both starting pitchers and relievers, and they intend to add another starter, with pitchers like Jon Garland and Joel Piņeiro on their radar. Free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson has interested the Mets each of the last two offseasons, yet the team failed to find a taker for current second baseman Luis Castillo. Hudson, therefore, doesn't top the team's priority list. Minaya acknowledged that the slow pace of the Mets' winter had upset many fans, and that he understood why. "There are years when our winters were easy and quick," he said. "This has been different." The Mets' office will be open for a half-day today, and no matter where he is physically, Minaya said, he'll be pressing to move forward on the Mets' offseason moves. "I'll be working on Christmas Day and New Year's Day," he said, and every day in between, too

Edgy DC Dec 24 2009 07:54 AM Re: Minaya: Bay isn't only outfielder we're looking at

Interesting that somebody finally got a quote of some sort out of the Mets brain trust. Not much, but it beats empty speculation. I was starting to suspect they were working on something hewdge.

attgig Dec 24 2009 09:22 AM Re: Minaya: Bay isn't only outfielder we're looking at

mlbtraderumors links to a few reports that Bay & redsox are talking again... interesting... http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/12/j ... day-1.html wonder how they're going to afford everyone.

metirish Dec 24 2009 09:25 AM Re: Minaya: Bay isn't only outfielder we're looking at

Olney says don't bet on that Bay would be budget buster for BostonComment Email Print Share ESPNBoston.com Is Jason Bay coming back to the Boston Red Sox after all? Don't bet on it. A team source told ESPNBoston.com on Wednesday night that while the club never says never, Bay's return to Boston would be a long shot since the Red Sox already have a left fielder: Mike Cameron, who signed a two-year deal with the Sox earlier this month. (Of course, Cameron could end up in center with Jacoby Ellsbury shifting to left). With Bay continuing to twist in the free-agent winds, talk of his possibly revisiting his relationship with the Red Sox surfaced Wednesday night. According to a report on WEEI.com, which cites a team source, the Red Sox "have had internal discussions about extending their organizational budget to potentially allow for another offer" to Bay. The proposal would reportedly be in the range of the four-year, $60 million offer originally made to Bay by the team. That organizational budget was already stretched by the five-year, $82 million deal struck with free-agent pitcher John Lackey. One source indicated to ESPN's Buster Olney that the Red Sox have less than $5 million in spending money. Short of blowing up their budget, the only way the Red Sox could work something out with Bay would be to find a way to dump some existing contracts, such as that of Cameron, who would have to lend his permission to such an arrangement. Edes' estimate of the current payroll of the 2010 Red Sox falls somewhere around $166 million (give or take a few million), which puts them perilously close to the $170 million luxury-tax threshold. Signing a big name like Bay would put the Red Sox over that number, meaning they would need to pay a 22.5 percent luxury tax on every dollar spent over $170 million. The only other known offer to Bay is from the New York Mets, who extended Bay a four-year deal worth between $60 million and $65 million. The New York Yankees don't appear to be a suitor for either Bay or Matt Holliday despite having a hole in left field. "It won't be a big-name situation, I can promise you that," Yankees GM Brian Cashman told reporters.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Dec 24 2009 10:44 AM Re: Minaya: Bay isn't only outfielder we're looking at

Marlon Byrd, Johnny Damon, Mark DeRosa, Xavier Nady and Randy Winn This. At 35, Winn is still a 2-3 WAR guy, but with a lot of value in his glove (playable in any OF slot) and a crap year last year on paper, he's not getting as much interest as the others. Hence, about the same value as the others (Damon IS that bad in LF) but signable below market rates, for 1 year.

Frayed Knot Dec 24 2009 12:47 PM Re: Minaya: Bay isn't only outfielder we're looking at

I'd take a look at Byrd too. A once-heralded prospect who took a long while to finally make it and is 4 years younger than Winn. Probably not as good defensively (although I bet it's close) and doesn't run as well, but out-hit him over the last 3 seasons (.295/.352/.468 vs .290/.344/.410) particularly with power (IsoP = .173 vs .120) although, granted, in a much better hitter's park. Still, the OPS+ is supposed to take care of the park/lg factor and Byrd (112, 121, 106) is not only better than Winn (104, 105, 75) over the last few seasons but also isn't coming off a year with an off-the-table fall.

Rockin' Doc Dec 24 2009 03:34 PM Re: Minaya: Bay isn't only outfielder we're looking at

The Mets can't let Bay keep them waiting indefinitely until their options dwindle further. The Mets should set a date to either get Bay signed or move on to other options. If they can't get Bay's signature on a contract, I think the Mets should look at signing either Winn or Byrd to 1-2 year deal to fill the left field spot. Then they can use the money saved to go toward an arm (or two) for the rotation. I'd like to see them look at Pineiro, Washburn, or possibly Duchscherer. Bedard might also be worth looking into, if the price is right, for a short term deal.

G-Fafif Dec 24 2009 04:05 PM Re: Minaya: Bay isn't only outfielder we're looking at

Mike Vail smells comeback.

Ashie62 Dec 24 2009 05:00 PM Re: Minaya: Bay isn't only outfielder we're looking at

Jason Bay may find all the chairs are filled before he can sit toooo baddd