Jason Bay's situation is a lot like Mike Lowell's in 2007. Lowell was eligible for free agency after his World Series MVP season. He tested the free agency market & ended up signing a shorter, less lucrative deal with the Red Sox to stay in Beantown.
Will Bay's free agency go the same way? Who knows. According to the Red Sox website, Bay is saying all the right things about enjoying his playing time in Boston & a comfort level with the players & manager.
However, he would foolish in a business sense to re-sign with the Sox while they still have exclusive bargaining rights until 15 days after the World Series. Bay is only 30 years old & his value may never be higher than now. Other than Matt Holliday, he may be the best outfielder on the market this winter.
Remember Bronson Arroyo? He signed a hometown deal against the advice of his agent without testing the free agent market. The Red Sox promptly traded Arroyo to Cincinnati. So it works both ways from a business sense.
I don't blame Bay, but it would be good to get his situation resolved -- one way or the other -- as soon as possible.
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