As missjen said on Sunday, Jason Bay’s contract is expiring after this season. However, this doesn’t mean he won’t get an extension later in the year, though it doesn’t mean he isn’t on the market.

The Red Sox won’t be quick to make a trade since they gave up so much for him, and they are going to have a high price tag on him. Bay is only 30 and he looks even younger than that compared to the bum we had before last year’s deadline. Don’t get me wrong, I still love Manny but Bay’s work ethic looks like a young rookie trying to make a good impression compared to his.

Jen said the Indians would be fortunate to have him, and indeed they would be, Bay would be worth more than a few hotshot prospects from the Indians organization. Bay is in the prime of his career and isn’t much of a star since he was overlooked in Pittsburgh. As a result, he could be signed for much cheaper than he is worth, a tactic the Red Sox can use to their advantage.

If the Indians are serious about getting Bay at the deadline, the Red Sox would most likely be asking for Victor Martinez to fill their need at catcher as well as some prospects. This is a high price that the Tribe may not want to pay, but they might also make the Rangers a possible third team in a deal.

Texas has two players that the Sox are interested in: Jarrod Saltalamaccia and Taylor Teagarden. For a deal like this to work the Indians and Red Sox would both have to give prospects to the Rangers, and the Red Sox would preferably like to re-acquire David Murphy from Texas to fill the void in left field that they could never have imagined they might have when they traded him for Eric Gagne.

I know this trade seems far-fetched and it probably is, but I think it would be the only way the Sox could get exactly what they need out of Bay.

Jon Lester and the Red Sox have reached a contract extension that will keep the best lefty in baseball in Boston for another five years. Lester is one of three aces in the deepest rotation in baseball, joining Daisuke Matsuzaka and Josh Beckett.

In the WBC, Dustin Pedroia is off the USA’s roster after straining his oblique. In a way, I’m glad the MVP is not going to be at risk for a more serious injury, especially if the team is going to play like this.

Ortiz and Bay are back with the Sox after their WBC teams were eliminated. Papi hit a home run against the Yankees on Friday, as did Mike Lowell. Julio Lugo may have a meniscus tear, as his MRI results were analyzed by a specialist who believes this to be true. Lugo will have knee surgery and may miss some time.

Most Valuable Papi

The one position that has remained both untouched AND stable through the years, contrary to popular belief, is NOT getting old. David Oritz has been with the Sox since 2003, and he has put up spectacular numbers every year. And unlike the only other 2004 winners still on the team—Varitek and Wakefield—he shows no signs of slowing down.

People use the same argument all the time: “he’s getting old.” Last time I checked, 34 is not old. I don’t see anybody calling 33-year-old Derek Jeter being called old, and he is in worse physical shape than Papi (in an injury and durability sense, not a matter of individual health), since he plays the field and hits while Ortiz only does the latter.

Ortiz is one of the best hitters in the game, and he has one thing on A-Rod, Bonds, Giambi, and countless others: he plays clean.

Papi’s numbers will go up to his 35+ home runs numbers from two years ago. Last year Ortiz had some injury problems and managed only a .264 average with 23 homers. A clear step down from his .332, 35 home run season of 2007. While those numbers were seen as low, who wouldn’t want their player hitting well over .300? And even with bad numbers, always remember David Ortiz+Bottom of the 9th+close game=Red Sox win.

Ortiz doesn’t need a backup in his role, but if he ever needs a break Francona can just pencil in anybody he feels like.

For years a stable position in the outfield, right field has been a question mark since the departure of Trot Nixon. JD Drew was signed in 2007 to a five year contract. The Red Sox could opt out of the contract after this year if Drew has more right shoulder injuries.

Drew had a terrible 2007 season by Red Sox standards, but had a great Grand

JD should produce out of whatever role he is put in this year.

Slam in the ALCS and rode the momentum into the World Series. He had a good 2008 season with a spectacular month of June but he was shut down for the rest of the regular season in August. He had a good postseason again though, culminating with his Game 5 walk-off to cap a 7-0 comeback against the Rays.

Drew should have a decent year especially now that he has some confidence behind him. His health may be an issue again, but I doubt he will be forced to miss anymore than a month, if that.

Behind Drew is Rocco Baldelli. He should do fine in that role, but if his health is a problem Mark Kotsay will be there to play if both Drew and Baldelli need a break.

There were three things that made me happy today. The first was the progress Lowell is making in returning from his hip injury. The second was Clay Bucholz’s three perfect innings. The third one was Tim Thomas having to play with Manny Fernandez’s mask for a few minutes of the Bruins game, but that one was more a comedic thrill than anything.

Lowell DHed in the game, going 1 for 3 with a single in his last at-bat. Bucholz threw three innings without allowing a base runner while striking out two. Papelbon threw a scoreless fourth inning. The Orioles struck for runs late in the game, topping the Red Sox 5-1.

The Red Sox’ spring struggles continue, but with so many players out with either injury or playing in the WBC, this shouldn’t be a sign of things to come.

The Red Sox have a day off on Wednesday then they play the Cardinals at 1:05 on Thursday. Josh Beckett will be on the mound for the Sox.

In 2007 the world got a taste of the future when Jacoby Ellsbury had a spectacualr postseason. His numbers slipped a bit below expectations in 2008 while he was sharing time in center field with Coco Crisp, but with Crisp being swapped to Kansas City, Ellsbury should get the time he needs to put up great numbers in 2009.

In just one month in Red Sox Nation, Ellsbury developed a large following, similar to the one that  Boston Bruins youngster Milan Lucic developed just a month later, though I doubt anybody who doesn’t follow hockey to fully understand what that one is like. Ellsbury won over the fans with his steady bat and amazing speed. What Ellsbury brought to the Red Sox was a second—and later third—base stealer, which the Red Sox haven’t had in a while. With Crisp gone, the base stealers will be back down to just two, but throw in Pedroia’s improving speed and Bay’s great base running ability, and the speed threat looks a lot worse than just Lugo and Ellsbury.

Rocco Baldelli appears to be the backup, but his health problems bring up some questions. The only other backup on the 25-man roster is Mark Kotsay, but Francona is unusually reluctant to utilize his players’ depth. The only one else, besides Brad Wilkerson, on the 40-man roster is Jonathan Van Every, but he may not be ready, even for just a game or two.

A depleted Red Sox team came into Sunday afternoon’s game vs Tampa at just 3-6 in Grapefruit League play.

A team missing stars Youkilis, Pedroia (USA) Bay (Canada) Ortiz (Dominican) and Matsuzaka (Japan) to the World Baseball Classic has been crushed 15-7 and 12-4 previously against the Rays. Today was a much different story though, as they struck early and often en route to an 8-2 victory.

Julio Lugo helped his cause by going 3 for 3 with 2 RBIs and a walk and Justin Masterson pitched three scoreless innings. Jonathan Papelbon gave up two hits in his inning of work but struck out the side.

It was great to see Lugo succeed, even if it was only a Spring game. I was able to catch parts of the game from a suite at TD Banknorth Garden so I couldn’t watch the whole thing, but I did watch a good chunk of the game while the Celtics were struggling. Once the C’s started making a huge run I lost interist though, so I never even glanced at the TV from the 5th inning on. As I said in an earlier post, I expect Lugo to have a better year and he certainly showed a glimpse of that today.

Jon Lester will make the start against the Pirates tomorrow against the Pirates in what may be his last game before he signs a five-year contract extension.

No, not the court case, but the one for signing the Home Run King. It baffles me as to how such a great hitter can’t even find a contract offer. Bonds would make the middle of any lineup dangerous, and pitchers’ sheer fear of him, even though he doesn’t have his power and legs of old.

I know many people will disagree with me, but the Red Sox should sign the slugger, at least to a minor league deal. They don’t need him at all, but why give teams like Tampa a chance to sign him? If the Rays were to get Bonds they would have the most dominating lineup in baseball, and they might even get

Imagine this at Fenway Park

the one thing they don’t have consitently—a sellout.

Yes, Bonds would bring a media circus, but with the spotlight on A-Rod now, that circus is smaller and it would be much shorter. Bonds would also be a great fit in Boston—he has the Green Monster and Pesky Pole to hit cheap homers, and he already proved he can play under heavy media pressure, which not everybody can do in Boston.

The Boston fans may be slow to accept him, what true Red Sox fan wouldn’t shake his hand after he has a huge postseason hit? And it’s not like the Sox have to force him on the fans. They can have him play in Pawtucket for most of the year and call him up if an outfielder or, God forbid, Ortiz should get hurt, and if they stay healthy they can just bring him up when the rosters expand in September and judge whether he would be a good fit in October after that.

I know people will disagree with me, so feel free to start a discussion in the comments.

Everyone knows the story of  how Boston’s left field took a drastic change in 2008. So instead, let’s just break down how the position is looking for 2009.

Jason Bay will be playing for a contract extension in 2009.

Jason Bay is one of the headliners of Canada’s World Baseball Classic roster, but in Boston’s powerful lineup he is just seen as another cog. But no matter how you look at him, he will contribute.

Bay proved he could contribute in the pressure of Boston and the pressure of Boston in the postseason. Him and the rest of the returning 2008 team (or to better put it, every major player) are using the disappointing Game 7 loss to Tampa as motivation for 2009.

Rocco Baldelli and Jacoby Ellsbury will most likely split time in left when Bay needs a rest, and Mark Kotsay may even see a little time there if the Sox need him late in a game.

While he is no Manny, what Bay brings to the Sox is far more valuable than what Manny brings. Bay is a good fielder, a great baserunner despite not having blazing speed, and he comes without the baggage of Manny.

For years the opening day shortstop has been a question for the Red Sox. Since Nomar Garciaparra was traded in 2004 the Sox had a new player at that position every year except 2008. Julio Lugo is the first player to be in the lineup since ‘04 when he did it in both ‘07 and ‘08. 2009 should be the same situation, but there is a battle for that position this spring.

Julio Lugo should have a bounce back 2009 for the Red Sox.

Jed Lowrie exceeded all expectations in his rookie season of 2008 after Lugo went down with an injury. He is viewed by many as the rightful starter, but I doubt he will. Not only am I not certain if Lowrie is ready for a full big league season, but if he starts the Red Sox won’t have a backup second baseman. Lugo won’t be able to play second, and Lowrie can play all over the infield.

Since I think he will be the starter, I also think Lugo will put up some similar numbers to his days in Tampa Bay. Lowrie will also contribute off the bench, but he might get off to a slow start and also get into a mid-season slump.