Sunday, June 22, 2008
John Heller/Associated Press
Jason Bay -- His revitalized All-Star form, among other factors, has management thinking about keeping him.
Very quietly, as is his style, Jason Bay once again has become Jason Bay. That is to say, after a disappointing 2007 season, he again has become one of the best offensive outfielders in the National League.
Although Bay doesn't overwhelm with a set of gaudy numbers, the cumulative effect of his statistics is impressive.
He hit his 15th home run last night in the Pirates' 6-3 win against the Toronto Blue Jays at PNC Park. It was one of three two-run homers the Pirates had in support of Paul Maholm, who pitched seven innings.
The homer left Bay tied for fifth among National League outfielders. His on-base percentage of .391 is third best among outfielders. In the most important offensive category, OPS (on base plus slugging percentage), Bay also was fifth at .917. He was third in walks with 48 and seventh in slugging with .526.
All those numbers are in line with the way Bay performed in 2005 and 2006, when he established himself as a top offensive player. In 2005, he led the National League outfielders in OPS and he was third in 2006.
The Pirates are an unheard-of third in the National League in runs, and a lot of that has to do with Bay and the two men who play beside him, center fielder Nate McLouth and right fielder Xavier Nady, who missed his sixth consecutive game with a bruised left shoulder. For the Pirates, though, this level of success presents a dilemma. Although McLouth, who will be eligible for arbitration next year, isn't going anywhere, Nady and Bay have options. Both are eligible for free agency after the 2009 season.
Their success this season is forcing the Pirates to make decisions in advance.
Nady, who is batting .314 with 10 homers and 49 RBIs, is a client of Scott Boras, which means he almost certainly will reject any overtures to sign a long-term contract and will test free agency. Because that is the case, the Pirates will dangle Nady in front of contenders next month, in the hopes of securing a couple of prospects.
Pittsburgh Pirates' Jason Bay (38) doubles to deep left field off Washington Nationals pitcher John Lannan in the first innng of a baseball game at Pittsburgh Wednesday, June 11, 2008. Pirates' Nate McLouth, rear center, scored from third on the double and the Pirates went on to win 3-1. Catching is Nationals Jesus Flores.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
They could do the same with Bay but probably won't and definitely shouldn't. If the Pirates trade Nady and Bay, they could find themselves woefully short in the outfield. The only two prospects on the horizon are Andrew McCutchen and Steve Pearce. McCutchen is as close to a sure-thing as there might be in the unpredictable sport of baseball. Pearce, though, is far from that and he's having a tough time with Class AAA pitching.
Bay might be amenable to staying with the Pirates -- at the right price. He already has signed one long-term contract and there's reason to believe he'd do another.
The question for the Pirates is this: Are they willing to pay Bay the kind of salary he would command on the open market?
The new management team of president Frank Coonelly and general manager Neal Huntington has shown a willingness to spend some money. Freddy Sanchez and Ian Snell signed long-term deals this year. But their contracts would pale next to what Bay would receive.
Not since they signed Jason Kendall to a six-year, $60 million deal have the Pirates signed a player to a contract that averages eight figures. But that's what it will take to keep Bay.
There will be no six-year deal with Bay -- or anybody. The Pirates learned the foolishness of contracts of such length with Kendall. But Bay might be agreeable, after this season and before free agency is at hand, to sign a three-year extension at, say, $33 million. That's $11 million a season. It's high, but it's what Bay, if he continues to return to his 2004-06 form, will deserve.
Will the Pirates step up with that kind of money?
They don't have much choice. The fan base has been exceedingly patient. The franchise has to make a commitment to its best players.
Bay, who had knee problems last year, is enjoying his pain-free season.
"I want to be the guy I was before the down year last year," he said. "I just want to be consistent and drive in runs and score runs. I feel like I'm not fighting myself this year. I'm just letting it happen."
After being rookie of the year in 2004, making the All-Star team in '05 and being named an All-Star starter in '06, last year was a difficult time for Bay.
"It was very tough," he said. "My first three years personally had gone well and now, all of a sudden, the team is not doing well and I'm not helping and that's a whole different ball game to deal with.
"I tried to make the best of it and I think it made me a better person and a better player. I'm not glad it happened but I'm taking a positive from it and I'm learning from it."
Judging from his play this season, he has learned his lessons well. If he keeps playing as he has, the Pirates have a decision to make.
But, really, it shouldn't be hard at all. It's one they have to make.
Bob Smizik can be reached at bsmizik@post-gazette.com.
First published on June 22, 2008 at 8:14 pm
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