Will Jason Bay Return to the Red Sox in 2010?

The Boston Red Sox had a 15-day window following the end of the World Series to try to re-sign out fielder Jason Bay. Reports came out at the end of the 15 day window that the Red Sox had offered Bay a four-year $60 million deal, which Bay turned down. I understand that in the business of baseball, why sign just days before being able to see what the open market has to offer, but this does have to beg the question, does Jason Bay want to remain in Boston?

On multiple occasions, Bay has said he likes playing in Boston, and likes the attention a high profile team such as the Red Sox brings. The simple fact is, Jason Bay isn't going to give any "discount" to stay in Boston, nor should he for that matter. Bay is going to command 5 years, for sure, something the Red Sox don't like to give to anyone not named Drew. He will also, most likely, make somewhere in the $16 million range. The Red Sox can afford this, as they gave similar money to the lesser J.D. Drew. However, will they give that to Bay is an entirely different question. The Red Sox have been less willing to give out big money the last couple of seasons. Just last off season they missed a golden opportunity to land Mark Teixeira, who signed with the rival New York Yankees.

With Johnny Damon's contract up as well as Hideki Matsui's this opens the door for Bay to land in New York as well. The Yankees approach the past few years has been to tell a free agent to go out and get his best offer, and return to them and they'll beat it. I see this whole Jason Bay situation playing out in a similar manner.

If it isn't the Red Sox or Yankees, which would surprise me if it wasn't, there are only a few other teams that have the ability to sign a player to the kind of money Bay is looking for. The Mets, and Angels come to mind, althought the Angels don't have much need for an out fielder. The Dodgers could be in play if the divorce of owner Frank McCourt doesn't get to ugly, and there could be a few others such as San Fransisco or Oakland.