BAY GOES TO THE METS..Gonzales Rumors Are Just That..Rumors

Ex-Boston Red Sox left fielder Jason Bay has agreed to a four year, $66 million deal with the New York Mets. The contract also has a vesting option for a fifth year that could boost the value of the contract to $80 million. That was probably the difference maker between the Mets' negotiations and those of the Red Sox. Speaking of Boston, here's Youk...

“It’s definitely going to be tough for all of us,’’ Kevin Youkilis said. “Jason was a close friend. A joy to play with him. Great ballplayer. But it’s a business, things happen. It’s one of those business moves on each side. It just didn’t work out right. I wish him the best in New York. Hopefully we get to see him in the World Series.’’

A major-league scout described the Jason Bay we Red Sox fans know so well...

"He's strictly a fastball hitter, a guess hitter," said a major-league scout who spoke on condition of anonymity. "When he's guessing right, he's OK. He can hit home runs, but he's not a guy who's going to turn your club around. He's OK in the outfield. He doesn't throw that well. But he's got that one thing - power."

The Red Sox would not even discuss the possibility of a fifth year...it was out of the question, not even on the board. So Jason Bay will go to Flushing and try to help a team that finished 70-92 in 2009. I thought he wanted to go to a ball club that had a chance to win it all. I guess not but I do wish him the best of luck. I really do...that team will need every ounce of his power and maybe, just maybe, as Youk said, we'll see him in the World Series. Wouldn't that be nice?

The rumors that swirled and whirled around the baseball universe that Adrian Gonzales MIGHT be coming to Boston in a multi-player deal of some sorts has been shot down..for now. ESPN Chicago dot com's Bruce Levine reported this...

"Although the Red Sox and Cubs have talked recently about other matchups, a deal that would send pitcher Andrew Cashner and Josh Vitters as well as a third minor-leaguer to San Diego, which would send first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to Boston, has not been broached."

MLB's Peter Gammons, a guy we all know and respect, says it would be impossible for the Padres to even think about trading Gonzalez before July. So don't expect something from almost nothing. I think Casey Kotchman will be our 2010 first baseman. Defensively, he is OUTSTANDING (see the post below). The Boston Red Sox will have one of the best defensive teams in all of baseball. Pitching too, top to bottom. Will they score enough runs? Ay, that's the rub. We'll see, won't we?

Click on the title of this post to be linked to a foxsports dot com article on the AGonz mystery and as always, BE WELL. Hey, what do you think? IF IT WAS POSSIBLE, would you part with Ells and Buchholz for a power hitting defensively great first baseman? The price would be high! Let me know with your comments. I'll see you..soon.