Options If Bay Doesn't Re-Sign

Jason Bay has had a good run with the Red Sox for the last year & a half. He has settled in as the #5 hitter & produced with runners in scoring position. Bay has also done a good job learning to play the Green Monster.

What if Bay decides to sign somewhere else? That's a real possibility, so here's what I'm reading or proposing.

- I read that Youk may give LF a try. If so, that would leave the door open to sign Adrian Gonzalez as your 1B this year. Youk could then move back to 3B when Lowell's contract is up next year.

- Matt Holliday is a name you hear out there. Hard to tell how he would perform in Boston after spending the bulk of his career in Colorado. He may be too expensive for Theo as well.

- Joe Mauer is a drawing little attention since everyone feels that he will re-sign in his native Minnesota. Mauer could catch & DH which would give Victor more time at 1B. That would mean the Sox would have to move Ortiz or Lowell. They couldn't keep both.

- One player I really like is 3B Ryan Zimmerman from the Nationals. He is a young power hitter with good defensive skills. He may be untouchable, but I would trade the farm for him. He is the National League equivalent Evan Longoria.

The list goes on & on. The first chip is to find out what Bay is doing. If he re-signs, then Theo can tinker with the rest of the roster.

This may be a minority opinion. But I feel that Bay has a good thing going in Boston & I give us a better than 50-50 chance to re-sign him. We'll see.