Welcome To Boston Jason Bay

Curt Schilling was nice enough today to offer his #38 to Jason Bay...for a price, which would go to Schilling's Curt's Pitch charity. Boston.com tonight introduces us to Jason Bay. • Full name: Jason Raymond Bay. He'll turn 30 on Sept. 20. He's 6-foot-2, 205 pounds and was born in Trail, B.C., Canada. • He and his wife, Kristen, have one daughter, Addison, who will turn 2 in November. • His sister, Lauren, is a professional softball player who pitched for Canada in the 2004 Summer Olympics. • He is friends with fellow Trail native and Edmonton Oilers center Shawn Horcoff and hails from the same town as St. Louis Blues defenseman Barrett Jackman. • He played hockey as a youngster, but quit in favor of baseball. Like many Canadian ballplayers, he grew up idolizing Larry Walker, also a B.C. native. He rooted for the Mariners as a kid. He was a member of the 1990 Trail Little League team that represented Canada in the Little League World Series. • He played two years at Gonzaga, earning first-team All-West Coast Conference honors as a junior and senior. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 22nd round, 2000. • New England connection: He started playing for the Vermont Expos of the New York-Penn League and played two seasons ('99, 2000) for the Chatam A's of the Cape Cod League. • He spent time in A-ball in 2002, hitting for average and power. He was dealt in March of that year to the Mets, who flipped him to the Padres for reliever Steve Reed at the 2002 trade deadline. • He made his MLB debut May 23, 2003. His first big-league hit was a ninth-inning homer off of Arizona reliever (and future Red Sox reliever) Matt Mantei. • An Elmer Dessens pitch fractured his wrist two days later and was sent to the minors for rehab. • He was a teammate of former Sox infielder and current NESN studio analyst Lou Merloni on the 2003 Padres. • In August 2003, he was traded with Oliver Perez and Cory Stewart to the Pirates for Brian Giles. He finished the year with a .287 average, 4 homers and 13 RBI in 87 at-bats. He reached base safely in his final 14 games, though he was bothered by a torn right labrum that required offseason surgery. Click here to continue reading at Boston.com

How Will Boston Finish 2008?

With the trade today sending Manny Ramirez to Los Angeles and Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss to Pittsburgh in return for Jason Bay we ask, How will Boston finish 2008? Click Here for PollOnline Surveys | Polls | Email Marketing | Innovation Management View MicroPoll

BREAKING: RAMIREZ TRADED

Details forthcoming UPDATE 4:28 PM Waiting for details but reports are that Manny has been traded to the Dodgers, this came moments after reports of a trade between Pittsburgh and the Dodgers for Jason Bay. We maybe looking at a deal where the Dodgers sent Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier to the Pirates for Bay and then turned Bay to Boston for Ramirez, that's just speculation on my part but we should know details soon. UPDATE 4:32 PM As speculated above Boston gets Jason Bay and the Dodgers get Ramirez while Pittsburgh gets four prospects, this again signals that the Marlins were to blame for the earlier three-way deal collapsing. The deal was reportedly made moments before the deadline. UPDATE 4:40 PM Boston reportedly sends Brandon Moss and Craig Hansen to Pittsbugh as part of the deal, Pittsburgh also gets Andy LaRoche and Bryan Morris from the Dodgers. UPDATE 5:00 PM With what Boston gave up and the fact they are still paying the entire remaining portion of Manny's contract, I wonder if they also get John Grabow in the deal, guess we wait until the official announcement.

Deal Dead

The three-way trade between Boston, Florida and Pittsburgh is dead and the Marlins are blaming the Pirates and the Pirates are blaming the Marlins, meantime the Sox are unhappy with both teams. UPDATE 1:40 PM Just over an hour ago a source with the Pirates indicated they were happy with their take and ceased negotiations with other teams on a Bay deal. This along with the report that Florida wanted more cash and multiple prospects from Boston along with Ramirez would indicate Florida is the most to blame if not entirely to blame for the deal collapsing. UPDATE 1:56 PM The Marlins may have also been on target to get the catching they need in this trade as Ronny Paulino's name was being mentioned early this afternoon. UPDATE 2:21 PM Is this deal a cat? It appears it may have nine lives. From the Boston Globes Gordon Edes; Less than 2 hours before the trading deadline, the Red Sox were still trying to make this 3-way deal with the Pirates and Marlins work, but as one source said, "They're not going to be stupid about it." Edes adds that within the past 10 minutes an industry source has told him negotiations are likely to go down to the last minutes of the deadline. The sticking point maybe the Marlins demanding multiple prospects from Boston along with Manny and the cash. Nick Cafardo adds Reports are beginning to surface that the three-way deal for Manny Ramirez is dead or close to dead, but I’m not buying it. The same snags exist now that existed this morning, and there’s still time to work them out before the 4 p.m. deadline. UPDATE 3:18 PM Jason Bay has been traded to Tampa Bay meaning the three-team deal between Boston, Florida and Pittsburgh is officially dead. Boston has been talking to the Dodgers and those talks may heat up very quickly now if they haven't already. UPDATE 3:45 PM MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo says the Tampa Bay/Pittsburgh deal is NOT DONE. UPDATE 3:55 PM The waiting game is about to begin. While the trade deadline passes deals that are made that may not be announced immediately, should there be no announcement at 4:00 PM doesn't mean no deal was made by Boston.

Sox, Yanks Chasing Scott Eyre?

Jayson Stark is reporting Boston and New York are both vying for the Cubs Scott Eyre.

Is The Trade Close To Complete?

The Pittsburgh Pirates have reportedly told the Tampa Bay Rays that Jason Bay is likely going somewhere else. This is a good sign that a deal maybe close between the Marlins, Pirates and Red Sox. It has been reported that the major pieces of the trade are in place and the remaining obstacle is the prospects involved that Pittsburgh would receive. It is also reported that Manny Ramirez officially consented to being traded to Florida this morning which would be the final piece to a deal being done. With Manny agreeing and Pittsburgh telling Tampa Bay that Bay is likely going elsewhere we may be at the point where the trade is on the commissioners desk for approval, Bud Selig must approve the trade because of the amount of cash being sent to Florida. UPDATE 12:53 PM And just like that the deal maybe dead. Peter Gammons is reporting Florida now wants more cash beyond the $7 million still owed this year and wants Boston to give them two prospects.

Red Sox And Marlins Talking Manny

The Boston Red Sox and Florida Marlins are in serious discussions tonight on a deal that would send Manny Ramirez and a boatload of cash to the Marlins in exchange for three players. Boston would likely get either Josh Willingham or Jeremy Hermida along with two other players, in exchange Boston likely would pay the remaining balance of Manny's 2008 contract. Under that scenario this would appear to be a legit discussion on Florida's part as they have shown in the past to go for it all and then come back the following year with a sub par roster. UPDATE 7:00 PM Deal imminent? There's now reports that a deal is close, in the return Boston would get 18-year old Michael Stanton. UPDATE 7:31 PM New twist, a deal is being discussed that would send Ramirez to Florida, Jason Bay to Boston and Jeremy Hermida to Pittsburgh. Boston would likely still get at least a prospect since they will be paying the $7 million still owed Ramirez. UPDATE 8:24 PM Manny Ramirez has opened his big mouth again. From Boston.com Manny Ramirez had another phone conversation with Enrique Rojas, a reporter for ESPNDeportes, and took more shots at the Sox in an apparent effort to force a trade."They haven't asked me for anything," Ramirez was quoted as saying in response to whether the Sox had asked his permission to trade him. "The Red Sox don't deserve a player like me," Ramirez said. "During my years here I've seen how they [the Red Sox] have mistreated other great players when they didn't want them to try to turn the fans against them. "The Red Sox did the same with guys like Nomar Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez, and now they do the same with me. Their goal is to paint me as the bad guy. I love Boston fans, but the Red Sox don't deserve me. I'm not talking about money. Mental peace has no price and I don't have peace here." The Sox brass, including ownership, met today to discuss a possible Manny deal. Coming out of that meeting, the belief was that there was only a slim chance of something happening, but they are still talking to clubs, especially the Marlins, so stay tuned.'' UPDATE 9:36 PM The three-way deal is starting to take shape. Several have checked in and a recap from MLBTradeRumors.com tells us that both Boston and Florida are likely to send prospects to Pittsburgh, Boston gets Jason Bay while Florida gets Manny Ramirez. John Grabow could end up in either Boston or Florida and the Sox may include Jed Lowrie to Pittsburgh to obtain Jack Wilson in the deal. Hermida would also go to Pittsburgh. Folks this is starting to turn into a blockbuster. UPDATE 10:02 PM Deal is nearly done just finalizing the prospects involved. The Commsioners office has been notified of specifics and need to approve the deal because of the level of cash Boston will send to Florida. Marlins get Manny Ramirez, one prospect (BOS), and cash (likely Ramirez’s remaining salary) Pirates get Jeremy Hermida and three prospects (two FLO, one BOS) Red Sox get Jason Bay and John Grabow

Mets Have Interest In Ramirez

Official from the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox have both confirmed talks have been made between the clubs on Manny Ramirez. While the Mets have been reluctant to offer top prospects for Adam Dunn, Randy Winn and Raul Ibanez they view Ramirez as a superior hitter and would discuss players in a Ramirez trade that they wouldn't in others. UPDATE 3:00 PM The Dodgers are apparently are showing interest with Boston for Manny Ramirez. They don't want to add payroll so they maybe asking Boston to pay a large part of whats left on his 2008 salary which would mean they would have to give up more to acquire him. Jon Heyman speculates Boston could use this deal to acquire young talent and then turn them around to Atlanta for Mark Teixeira. UPDATE 3:51 PM The Dodgers have moved to the lead in the race for Manny Ramirez according to the New York Post, the Red Sox would pay most of the remaining $7 million owed to Ramirez while Boston would acquire someone along the lines of Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier. Boston is then expected to move that player in a deal for Mark Teixeira. Should Boston make both deals Kevin Youkilis would likely become the Red Sox leftfielder while Teixeira plays first. UPDATE 6:05 PM The Red Sox won't be making a deal for Mark Teixeira, but they should see him tomorrow as the Angels have sent Casey Kotchman to the Braves for Tex. The Dodgers are also denying any interest in Manny Ramirez. UPDATE 8:04 PM The Red Sox are still in talks to trade Ramirez with Philadelphia viewed as the leading candidate. The Dodgers and Marlins are also talking with Boston. Jon Heyman suggests Pat Burrell maybe the player Boston gets in return so one would think theres more to it then a one for one swap as the two players have about the same offensive output. Burrell is one of the leading targets for Boston this offseason should they decline Manny's option.

Red Sox Looking At Tejada, May Have Offer In For Teixeira

The Boston Red Sox are reportedly in talks with the Houston Astros for Miguel Tejada. ESPNdeportes.com's Enrique Rojas reports that according to one source talks have just begun while a separate source says discussions have been on going for some time. Tejada said today in an interview "I feel good in Houston, but I wouldn't be afraid to accept the challenge of playing in Boston." Meantime the Atlanta Braves are reportedly going over multiple offers for Mark Teixeira and Boston could be one of the teams with an offer in for him. Other teams who are thought to be interested are Arizona, Tampa Bay and the Los Angeles Angels. UPDATE 2:50AM The Red Sox are denying any interest in Miguel Tejada. The Red Sox maybe interested in Astro reliever Geoff Geary though with the Astros apparently looking to add a reliver they maybe unlikely to deal Geary.

Red Sox Will Attempt Trade For Ramirez

Theo Epstein has told Tim McCarver that if Manny Ramirez is willing to waive his no trade clause, the Red Sox will attempt to trade him. This really doesn't come as a surprise as Red Sox management is very upset with Ramirez over the past couple weeks and his most recent episode has all but guaranteed he won't return next year. The most likly landing spot for Ramirez in a trade is the New York Mets who have had interest in him in the past, the Mets are also in need of a corner outfielder. They would have him for two more years if they pick up his options.

Ramirez Has Signed Ticket Out Of Boston

Theo Epstein's job for the next week has just gotten a little harder. Already on a mission to land a relief pitcher to help turn around the bullpen, Epstein must now focus time on attempts to land a power hitting outfielder. Manny Ramirez has all but secured his exit from Boston possibly before seasons end. Should Boston be able to land a bat before the July 31 trade deadline Ramirez will likely be placed on waivers in hopes that someone will claim him and rid Boston of the player and the remainder of his 2008 salary. Should no team bite, Boston would likely then just release him and pay the remainder of his salary due. Ramirez already faces suspension from the team if he refuses to play Saturday. Names that will be the target of many discussions over the next several days will be Matt Holliday, Jason Bay and possibly even Adam Dunn. Boston could also go in house and callup Chris Carter. The could also make a run for Mark Teixeira and move Kevin Youkilis to left.

Red Sox All Star Predictions

Just checking in with my predictions for Red Sox All Stars. I hope to be able to resume daily posting here following the All Star break. David Ortiz (elected starter, wont play) Kevin Youkilis (elected starter) Dustin Pedroia (elected starter) Manny Ramirez (elected starter, to DH) JD Drew Mike Lowell Daisuke Matsuzaka Jon Lester Jonathan Papelbon