Trade rumors swirl around Bay
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July 30th, 2008
As the clock ticks, Jason Bay’s only plans are to keep playing — in black and gold that is.
It’s nothing new for the Pittsburgh left fielder to find his name highlighting the trade rumors. He dealt with it in December when he was nearly traded to Cleveland during the Winter Meetings. And he’s back in the forefront of the rumor mill currently with less than 24 hours remaining until Thursday’s 4 p.m. ET Trade Deadline.
“I don’t really give it a lot of weight,” Bay said. “I don’t play the speculation game. To my estimation, I’ve almost been traded two or three times in the last year, so if I worry about all that stuff I’d be a head case.”
Bay was in the starting lineup for Wednesday’s contest against the Rockies, knowing, though, that there is the possibility it could be his last appearance with the Pirates. The club has an off-day Thursday.
Tampa Bay is one possible destination for Bay, if management opts to deal him before Thursday’s Deadline. According to multiple reports, talks between the Pirates and the Rays have augmented in recent days, despite the fact that the Pirates already shipped off one-third of their outfield to the Yankees over the weekend.
However, as it gets later Wednesday, it appears that Bay’s most probable destination is now Boston. MLB.com learned earlier Wednesday of discussions of a three-way deal that would send Boston’s Manny Ramirez to the Marlins, Florida’s Jeremy Hermida to Pittsburgh and Bay to Boston. Other prospects would also likely be included, though it remains unknown exactly who those would be.
The Pirates do not need to make a deal for financial reasons as in years past, since they sit in good financial shape. But the club continues to look to infuse the farm system with promising prospects. If the offer suits their long-term plans, it’s a deal the organization will make.
“We won’t make it if it’s not there,” general manager Neal Huntington said. “We’ll make it if it’s there for how many more good baseball trades we can make to improve the quality of the organization and put us in position to play meaningful games in September and October.”
According to ESPN, a potential deal could center around Rays prospects Reid Brignac and Jeff Niemann. Both Brignac, a shortstop, and Niemann, a right-handed starter, are currently playing in Triple-A. Niemann was the fourth overall selection in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft.
Double-A pitcher and last year’s No. 1 Draft pick, David Price, has been deemed “untouchable” by the Tampa Bay brass.
Rays manager Joe Maddon told reporters in Tampa Bay on Thursday that discussions with Andrew Friedman, the Rays’ executive vice president of baseball operations, suggested his club has a handful of trade possibilities in the works.
“There are actually some things on the table,” Maddon said. “Very interesting stuff, actually. I mean really interesting. … I just talked to him this morning and he ran some scenarios by me that I felt were really interesting. And we’ll see.”
Bay, who has one year remaining on his four-year contract and will make $7.5 million in 2009, has also been linked to rumors involving the Cardinals and the Braves. He has been traded three times before in his career, though never at the Major League level.
“Usually it’s kind of interesting when you’re not part of it to see everything that unfolds,” Bay said. “It’s kind of easy to sit back and put your feet up and see who goes where. But when you’re in the mix of it, it’s a little more interesting. I have a little more vested interest in it this year.
“I’ve been traded before. But I don’t see myself anywhere else, so that’s how I deal with it.”
Reliever John Grabow could also be playing his final game with Pittsburgh on Wednesday, as Grabow’s name has been linked to numerous teams looking to add a left-handed arm to the back end of their bullpen.
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